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Wayne Rooney may leave Man Utd for good of his career, says Phil Neville

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WATCH: Phil Neville discusses Wayne Rooney's future on Sky Sports News HQ

Phil Neville says Wayne Rooney may have to leave Manchester United and join another club for the good of his career.

Rooney - the United and England captain - has struggled for first-team games under Jose Mourinho this season and Neville does not expect him to start in the Europa League final against Ajax on Wednesday.

Neville's former club Everton are interested in re-signing Rooney this summer and the ex-United full-back believes now is the right time for Rooney to move on.

Wayne Rooney during a training session at the Aon Training Complex
Image: Wayne Rooney has struggled for first-team games under Jose Mourinho

"You hope (he doesn't leave) but the way the season's gone, particularly since Christmas, he's not been involved as much as he'd probably have liked," Neville told Sky Sports News HQ.

"He wants to play in the biggest games and when it comes to Wednesday night I'd be surprised to see him in that starting XI.

"It looks like he's on his way out of Manchester United and it happens towards the end of your time. You get the signs that now is the time to leave, and probably now is the time.

"If he wants to continue playing at the highest level - week in, week out - and be the first name on the team sheet, then he'll probably have to go and play his football elsewhere."

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United travel to Stockholm for the Europa League final which will decide their Champions League fate next season, having failed to finish in the Premier League's top four.

Neville believes the clash with the famous Dutch side will define Jose Mourinho's first season at Old Trafford and hopes he will do what no other United manager has done before and win two trophies in his first season.

Neville said: "I think if you're assessing the season you have to wait until after Wednesday's game. The whole season has been based on trying to qualify for the Champions League and, ultimately, they wanted to finish as the Premier League winners, but now they've got the chance to win the Europa League.

"If they finish the season with a Europa League win, a League Cup win, and qualifying for the Champions League, then it's been a brilliant season. Two trophies in his first season - I don't think any other Manchester United manager has done that. But it all depends on Wednesday night.

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"It's a massive game. The pressure is on United. There's no pressure on Ajax at all. So it will be interesting to see how the United players cope with the pressure of being the team that's expected to win."

Neville was speaking to Sky Sports News HQ ahead of his participation in the Star Sixes tournament at the O2 Arena - a six-a-side finals also featuring Steven Gerrard, Alessandro del Piero, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Ballack.

Neville said: "Some of the best players ever to play football are descending on London to play in a fantastic tournament. We are hoping fans will get down there so visit the website and buy your tickets and come and support us."

Phil Neville will be pulling on the England shirt again at Star Sixes, a new world six-a-side tournament at the O2, London, July 13-16. Tickets, starting at just £30 for adults and £10 for U16s, are on sale at: www.starsixes.com

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