Exactly what no Manchester United supporter wants to hear – but it seems like Wayne Rooney is on his way out of the club.

It is hard to contemplate how quickly Rooney’s career has completely turned on its head. In March, the England striker was being tipped to win the World Player of the Year award after banging in 34 goals last season. But, after a very disappointing World Cup, allegations in his personal life and his lack of form this season, questions are being asked about his mindset. Add to this his criticism of Alex Ferguson last week – in relation to his “ankle” injury – and things really seem to be headed in the wrong direction.

Rooney has so far failed to renew his contract, which currently runs out in the Summer of 2011. If he fails to sign  a new contract by January, he will be free to talk to other clubs about moving on a free transfer. This of course, is causing considerable concern at old Trafford as they won’t want to lose Rooney on the cheap.

Here is a breakdown of how it has all gone wrong for Rooney:

November 13 2009: Ten days after the birth of his son, Kai, Wayne Rooney pledges his future to Manchester United. “I have got two years left on my contract after this year and I am sure we will be negotiating a new deal in the next few months,” he said. “I love the place. It is 30 minutes from home and all my family, and I have got a great chance of winning trophies.”

January 23 2010: Rooney begins the new year in rampaging form. He scores all of United’s goals as they crush Blackburn 4-0 – his first four-goal haul – as United briefly displace Chelsea at the top of the table.

January 27: His stoppage time winner against Manchester City takes United into the final of the League Cup.

January 31: Rooney scores his 100th league goal at the Emirates as United beat Arsenal 3-1.

February 16: Two headers against Milan help United to a 3-2 away win.

February 28: Rooney continues to benefit from his improved heading (and some excellent crossing from his teammates) as he scores his fifth headed goal in a row in United’s Carling Cup final victory over Aston Villa.

March 10: “Rooney is the best player in the world,” says Milan’s David Beckham, after Rooney scores twice – taking his tally to 30 for the season – in United’s 4-0 victory over Milan.

March 30: Rooney twists an ankle after scoring in the second minute as United lose to Bayern Munich in the away leg of their Champions League quarter-final. He’s ruled out for three weeks, and won’t score again until late August.

April 7: Rooney returns ahead of schedule for the return leg – and promptly injures the same ankle. United go 3-0 up but concede twice and exit the competition on away goals. Had Rooney made a miraculous recovery, or was Alex Ferguson risking his striker’s fitness because he suspected his side lacked a plan B?

May 4: Rooney is named PFA Player of the Year. But Chelsea go on to win the league by a point as Didier Drogba finishes as the league’s top scorer.

June 7: Rooney’s suspect temperament lands him in hot water when he swears at the referee during England’s warm-up match against South African club side Platinum Stars.

June 14: Rooney is criticised after photos are published of the striker urinating on an exclusive golf course after a round with his England teammates.

June 18: The low point of a dismal World Cup campaign for a striker who was supposed to use the tournament to cement his world-class status. Rooney attacks England fans after England draw with Algeria. “Nice to see your home fans booing you, that’s loyal supporters.”

August 1: Rooney is pictured first smoking then relieving himself in the street outside Manchester’s Panacea nightclub after a night out. He is given the hairdryer treatment by Alex Ferguson, but is defended by Arsene Wenger, who thinks Rooney’s problems stem from being in the public eye. “We have created a monster,” the Arsenal manager told the Observer.

August 28: Rooney scores a penalty as United beat West Ham 3-0. It’s the striker’s first goal in more than 18 and a half hours of competitive football. But any hopes that Rooney will get back to scoring ways are soon dashed.

September 5: The News of the World alleges that Rooney had been sleeping with a prostitute while his wife Coleen was pregnant. Could personal strife be the cause of his sporting woes?

September 11: Sir Alex Ferguson leaves Rooney out of the squad for United’s game against Everton, claiming that he didn’t want to expose his striker to the vindictive taunts of his old crowd. United draw 3-3.

September 19: Rooney turns in a decent performance as United beat Liverpool 3-2, but is overshadowed by a new hero: Dimitar Berbatov stakes his claim to the central striker’s position with a brilliant hat-trick.

September 30: Rooney is left out of the side as United beat Valencia 1-0 in the Champions League – this time Ferguson claims that a niggling ankle injury was the cause of the problem. The manager gives the same reason when Rooney doesn’t play as United play Sunderland away three days later.

October 13: After playing the full 90 minutes in England’s goalless draw with Montenegro Rooney publicly denies having an ankle problem, putting himself on a collision course with his manager. “I’ve had no problems with my ankle all season,” Rooney said. “I’ve been training for the last two months and I haven’t missed a training session so there’s no problem with my fitness.” Asked why Ferguson had said that he did have an ankle injury, Rooney replied: “Don’t know.”

October 17: Wayne Rooney tells his club that he won’t renew his £90,000 per week contract, which runs out at the end of the 2011-12 season, after a reported “irretrievable breakdown” in his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson.

(Image via: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images)