DESPITE WHAT MORE mischievous football fans may suggest, the photo below is not some sudden campaign devised by Alex Ferguson to encourage teams to buy his star forward.
In fact, it was taken in 2004, after Rooney had just signed for Manchester United.
The fan in question in the picture, Joe Ruane, had previously held up a banner during their match against Dinamo Bucharest, pleading with the club to sign the then-Everton star.
Ferguson was today forced to deny rumours that he was intent on selling the England star, with previous reports indicating that a number of high-profile clubs were unwilling to pay the excessive funds required to buy him.
(Gareth Copley/PA Wire/Press Association Images)