Rooney reveals the three clubs he almost joined from Manchester United

Wayne Rooney has revealed he was ‘ready’ to leave Manchester United in 2010 and has revealed the three clubs he was close to joining.

United and England’s record goalscorer handed in a transfer request in 2010, after a falling out with legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

But Rooney ended up committing his future to Manchester United by signing a new long-term contract.

Jose Mourinho famously hoped to bring the striker to Chelsea, but Rooney says he could have also joined Spanish giants Barcelona or Real Madrid.

“I think it was well documented that Chelsea and Mourinho wanted to sign me,” Rooney said on the UTD Podcast.

“There was Real Madrid, Barcelona and the Man City thing keeps cropping up, but there was never the option for me to go there.

“Although there were rumours on that as well, but the other three, really, were more realistic options.”