So much for paper talk

Remember the name, Wayne Rooney and with those immortal words Clive Tyldesley announced the arrival of the England's brightest prospect some seven years ago.

Hailed by his then manager as the last of the street footballers and revered by fans for his whole-hearted approach to the game,  a meteoric rise to one of the pantheons of English football, Old Trafford, quickly followed a dream debut in an international tournament.

Another dream debut followed and trophies were not far behind as the best footballer from the land nurtured his early promise over the intervening years to become one of the most complete footballers in the world.

Last season Rooney enjoyed the most productive season of his career as he moved out of the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo following his move to Real Madrid, becoming the heart and soul of a side combining the old heads of Giggs, Scholes and Van Der Sar - who just seemed to get better with age - with Fergie's latest crop of bright young things.

For times last season it was easy to forget the loss of Ronaldo to Spain. Even the noise emanating from the 'noisy neighbours' was reduced to a distant hum thanks to results on the pitch and serene progress in Europe.

Rooney's form and United's seemed to go hand-in-hand, he was playing at a higher level than ever before and the team were winning football matches.

England even had a chance of winning the World Cup while Wayne was scoring for fun.

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A year later and the picture could not look any more different.

Five draws from their opening games, a leaky defence and an out of sorts and out of form Rooney has cast a gloomy outlook over the opening exchanges.

Today, all of the recent speculation regarding Rooney came to a head during one of the most remarkable press conferences ever given by SAF.

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To pinpoint a date on where the downward slide began is difficult but the injury Rooney suffered while at the peak of his powers after being rushed back to play in United's exit from Europe at the hands of Bayern following a beautiful Arjen Robben volley is as good a date as any to start.

Since that day nothing, it would appear, has gone right for the lad from the back streets of Croxteth.

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Chelsea won the league last season after going on a scoring spree that carried on into this term, with United 'only' able to look back on a successful Carling Cup campaign.

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Then the World Cup happened.

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Rooney looked distant at the World Cup, a player whose touch had deserted him on the biggest stage available to a professional. It should have been his chance to shine. Instead, he and the rest of the England team left South Africa and the vuvuzela behind after being humbled at the feet of an exciting, young Germany side.

On his return, things did not improve for the striker on or off the field. It was not the first time the tabloids had revealed allegations about his private life but you couldn't help but think the shadow of the details had hung over Rooney whilst on duty in South Africa and continued to effect him now.

His form has not improved and with one goal in open play for club and country since March, Rooney has started to cut a frustrated figure.

He has been through goal droughts before in the past but this time it was different.

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Last week, Rooney told a newspaper he had been 100% fit all season, which seemed to directly contradict what SAF had said. Players have dared to believe they were bigger that SAF before - Keane, Beckham, Van nistelrooy, Stam - and all have been shown the door.

Now it looks as though Rooney will be added to that list but in circumstances that have potentially wider reaching consequences than any of the players that have left before him.

If he is leaving because United have not offered enough money then United fans will be as disappointed as SAF. As a football fan, you love having players like him in your team.

However, he wouldn't be the first to seek a big pay day in a short career, although why he would trade playing for one of the most prestigious clubs in the world with unrivalled facilities and brilliant (away) fans for somewhere else is hard to swallow.

It was only earlier this year Rooney seemed to be making all the right noises, saying he wanted to stay with the club for his entire career. Now, SAF has confirmed paper talk doesn't always only come in use as wrapping for fish and chips.

Apparently there were no quotes saying he was leaving. Well, now you have your quote.

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United now face the prospect of losing their best player to their neighbours, with the noise next door having risen from a distant hum to a clear and present clanging.

After all, the league table doesn't lie.