Wayne Rooney will have to submit a written transfer request if he wants to leave Manchester United, the Daily Mail reports.

The Old Trafford forward returned to training on Wednesday with his future still up in the air. It is understood he did not have a specific meeting with new manager David Moyes about his situation. 

That may happen at the club’s Carrington training centre on Thursday. The two men did speak but not for long and United’s stance on him remains unchanged.

They say the England forward is not for sale. Having knocked back a speculative enquiry from Barclays Premier League rivals Arsenal last week, United have not had any contact from one of the few clubs that could afford Rooney.

The only way the situation will change is if the player decides to force the issue. Sportsmail revealed at the end of last season that Rooney had suggested to previous United manager Sir Alex Ferguson that a move may be in his best interests.

A written request would mean Rooney would write off any money owed on the two remaining years of his £250,000-a-week contract.