Wayne Rooney has been informed by Jose Mourinho that he will have to leave Manchester United if he wants regular football.

The 31-year-old's future at Old Trafford continues to be thrown up in the air having fallen into a substitutes' role in recent times.

According to The Sun, Mourinho has informed Rooney's representatives that the England captain may have to look elsewhere if he wants to be a regular.

It is understood that the United boss is not seeking to sell Rooney but rather has made it clear that there is no longer a starting spot for the skipper.

Additional reports from other outlets indicate that the former Everton man is set to be the subject of a massive £500,000-a-week deal from Chinese Super League club Shanghai SIPG who are coached by former Three Lions manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

There is also believed to be interest from North America's MLS where he could link up with Premier League greats Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.

However, Rooney could yet remain with United and continue on in his bit-part role as he still has more than two-and-a-half years on his current contract.