Future News: Wayne Rooney claims Man Utd vowed to sell him if Liverpool fell short of top four

In an explosive new interview, Wayne Rooney has claimed that Manchester United promised to let him leave the club if Liverpool did not qualify for the Champions League last season. Rooney's comments come after Luis Suarez similarly claimed that Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said he could leave the club if they finished outside the top four in the Premier League last season.

"Between now and the last time I demanded a transfer, I have given absolutely everything to Manchester United," Rooney told the Weekly Reader, the student newspaper at his 4-year-old son Kai's school. "Last season, the club told me that if Liverpool didn't finish in the top four, I could leave. They said David Moyes would honor the agreement. And then Liverpool finished seventh — they didn't even qualify for the Europa League — while we won the title. I just want Man United to keep their word."

Rooney made his second transfer request in three years near the end of last season and, like Luis Suarez, has been reportedly been considering a written demand to push through a move before the transfer window closes at the end of the month. Also like Suarez and Tottenham's Gareth Bale, Rooney has pulled out of his club's preseason schedule by claiming to have picked up an injury.

"My contract also has a clause that says if Jose Mourinho repeats my name three times in front of a camera, I can play for him," Rooney said. "I'm not doing this to hurt Man United. It's not like I'm asking for a move to a local rival. London is like 200 miles away. It's only fair. I have the backing of the PFA, NBA and QVC. I know exactly how Luis Suarez feels. Except for the cannibal stuff."

When asked for comment, Man United manager David Moyes said, "This is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. There were no promises made. I will be taking strong and decisive action against his head."