Move from Manchester United may entice Rooney, says Phelan

Former Manchester United assistant coach will not speculate on striker's future but prospect of leaving excites Arsenal's Jack Wilshere.

Former Manchester United assistant coach Mike Phelan, right, does not know what lies ahead for Wayne Rooney, left, after manager David Moyes took over the club. Rooney asked to leave last season. StepShow more

LONDON //

, the

striker, may wish to leave the

champions to seek a "fresh challenge" elsewhere, according to former assistant coach Mike Phelan.

The future of the forward, 27, has been the subject of intense speculation in the British media, after outgoing manager

revealed he had asked to the leave the club for the second time.

Rooney made a similar request in October 2010, only for Ferguson to persuade him to stay at Old Trafford.

The England striker has been linked with clubs including

,

and Paris Saint-Germain in recent weeks but Phelan believes he would only leave United if he felt he had nothing left to achieve there.

"Wayne is at the greatest club you can be at," Phelan told BBC radio.

"Why would you want to jeopardise that, unless you want a fresh challenge and you feel that challenge isn't being met at Manchester United?"

Phelan was released by United in May after

.

Moyes, who launched Rooney's career at

, is expected to speak to the striker about his future this week.

"What will be, will be. I haven't got a clue," Phelan said when asked to speculate about what Rooney would do.

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of Rooney joining him at the North London club.

"If it happens, it would be amazing," Wilshere, 21, told the ESPN FC website.

"He's the type of player who can win you trophies. Just to see his name on the team sheet brings fear to the opposition. We could do with a little more of that."

Rooney is scheduled to report back for pre-season training Thursday, with the United squad due to fly out for a three-week tour of Australia and Asia on Wednesday next week.

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