Wayne Rooney to miss Community Shield as Manchester United saga continues

May 25, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; A Manchester United fan (red) cheers with Chelsea fans before the first half against Manchester City at Yankee Stadium. Manchester City won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

With reports that he is unhappy at Manchester United and a transfer to Chelsea possible, striker Wayne Rooney’s reported absence for the upcoming FA Community Shield against Wigan Athletic will do little to stop the rumors that are flying out of Manchester these days.

Rooney is also set to sit out Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial against Sevilla at Old Trafford on Friday, which was billed as the game that would help the forward determine his future depending upon how the United crowd reacted to him. The reports come in light that Rooney is mulling over officially handing in a transfer request to former Everton manager David Moyes due to last year’s falling out with now retired manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The falling out started when he was omitted from the squad for the final two games of last season by Sir Alex Ferguson, who said the former Everton player had asked to leave the club,

Rooney has only appeared once for United since May 5, playing in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Real Betis on Saturday. Rooney flew home from the pre-season tour of Asia and Australia with a hamstring injury and then missed Tuesday’s draw with AIK Solna because of his shoulder problem.

Moyes told Sky Sports: “I don’t think he is going to be fit and available. Of course we are still hoping he will, but I have a feeling he won’t make it.”

Moyes will however have the services of goalkeeper David de Gea and Mexico striker Javier Hernandez for Sunday’s Community Shield after the two youngsters were nursing injuries during this week’s friendly tour.

For Rooney his absence due to injury while being selected to England’s squad against Scotland raises a red flag at United as his linked move to Chelsea looms. The more Rooney sits with mysterious injuries, the likelier it is that we will be continuing to see these rumors as the transfer window deadline inches closer on August 31.

United will open up their season in England with the FA Community Shield on Sunday at Wembley Stadium. EPL Champions United will be taking on FA Cup champs Wigan Athletic, who upset Manchester City in the Cup final last season.