What next for Wayne Rooney?

It seems that the Old Trafford door is well and truly ajar now, with the football world keenly anticipating Wayne Rooney's ignominious exit from Manchester United, after his "bemused" manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed yesterday that the 24 year-old forward had requested to leave the club.

Many big names around the football world have thrown their opinions into the mix, with Jose Mourinho believing Ferguson's announcement that "the door is still open" to be sufficient to entice Rooney into staying in a red shirt.

However, speculation regarding a move in the January transfer window is rife. So where could the England man be headed? Abroad, and specifically to Spain, will be a compelling option, away from the harsh scrutiny of the media glare.

Might Mourinho go back on his word and entice him to Real Madrid, perhaps even bringing Rooney's good friend Steven Gerrard into the bargain in order to ease the homesickness? There is a history of Liverpudlians enjoying their time at the Santiago Bernabéu, with Steve McManaman and Michael Owen spending successful spells there over the past decade.

Will the allure of the Nou Camp be just as strong? The concept of Rooney gelling with a frontline of David Villa and Lionel Messi for the Catalan giants Barcelona is mouthwatering to say the least.   

No stranger to the derision of fans, it is not unfeasible that he will move across the Premier League. In hopping over to join the Red Devils from Goodison Park in 2004, Rooney alienated a great deal of supporters, some of whom have never forgiven him. The jeers and abuse he has received over the years when Manchester United have clashed with Everton are a direct result of him turning his back on his immortal promise, "Once a Blue, always a Blue."

So, will the riches of Manchester City be too heavy to ignore? He stands to earn as much as he likes at Eastlands, where he would join up with former team-mate Carlos Tevez. Re-painting the "Welcome to Manchester" sign again would not be a problem.

Carlo Ancelotti has been keeping his cards very close to his chest as well, asking the media to direct their questioning at Roman Abramovich. Surely there is not a defensive partnership in the world that could live with the numeorus attributes of Rooney and Didier Drogba?

Of course there are outside bets too. A fairytale return to the Toffees and the warm wing of David Moyes would cause a heartfelt smile around the football community and what better way to start the Anfield revolution than to bring such a high calibre name on board?

Finally, the long shot Sven-Göran Eriksson, the man who first picked Rooney to represent the Three Lions, has just taken the reigns at Leicester City. Can the wily old Swede convince him to join him in the Foxes’ revolution? (This Leicester City fan certainly hopes so).

Let us know your thoughts.