Wayne Rooney faces being stuck on the bench at Old Trafford next season with Manchester United unwilling to fund a cut-price exit.
Rooney is struggling to find another club and has not received an offer which comes remotely near his current United salary of up to £300,000-a-week.
He has one year plus the option of a second left on his United deal and the club are not prepared to rip up his contract and let him leave for nothing.
United are also reluctant to fund a huge chunk of Rooney’s salary to help him find a move.
They want a fee for their captain and record goalscorer and this, together with Rooney’s wages, is deterring suitors.