Wayne Rooney could leave in summer as Manchester United consider paying £26million to cancel £300,000-a-week contract

MANCHESTER UNITED face major conundrum over the future of Wayne Rooney, according to reports.

The Red Devils and England captain has been dropped by both his club and country in recent weeks — but still has 20 months left on his £300,000-a-week contract.

claim the Old Trafford hierarchy are weighing up the possibility of paying off the remainder of Rooney’s deal, which cost them around £26million.

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The former Everton man has offers in the USA and China, where top clubs would be able to match his salary.

He has been a mainstay in both the United and England sides for the past 12 years.

However, Jose Mourinho did what only Sir Alex Ferguson has been brave enough to do at Old Trafford — and dropped Rooney.

And England interim boss has followed suit.

Under David Moyes and Louis van Gaal — and every Three Lions boss since his debut — Rooney was a guaranteed starter.

Having burst into the scene at such a young age, it was always expected he would burn out early in his career.

And the fears are he would not be able to adapt himself to becoming a bit-part player as the likes of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes did.

United face four games in ten days which could define their season.

Mourinho takes his side to Anfield for the first time and Rooney is likely to start from the bench.