Manchester United will only flog Wayne Rooney to China on one condition

One man in and one man out.

Wayne Rooney is facing a frustrating two month spell on the sidelines after it was confirmed on Wednesday that he has suffered a ligament injury in his knee. The break from action on the field is likely to give the England captain plenty of time to weigh up his future career options, while the club may also get a chance to see if the 30-year-old is worth persisting with after an alarming drop in form over the last two seasons. The striker has struggled under Louis van Gaal, and reports have suggested that he is being linked with a massive money move to China that could make him the world’s highest paid player. Rooney could earn an approximate £500,000 a week if he does move to the fastest growing league in the world, but the Manchester Evening News are reporting there could be quite a stumbling block to any move. They are suggesting that the club will have to have a player lined up, such as a Neymar or a Gareth Bale, before even considering selling the club’s highest earner, and most marketable star It’s understood that the club’s board would require a global name to maintain strong growth abroad before thinking of selling Rooney, who despite his poor form, is still one of the most recognisable faces in world football. Ed Woodward admitted last week that Manchester United players could be sold to China if they are under performing due to the lorry loads of cash sloshing around in Asia at present. Rooney is worth millions in shirt sales as well as sponsorship to the club each season, and Ed Woodward and the board are unlikely to let such a prized commercial asset leave without a replacement who can also earn them just as much money, if not more over the coming years.