Wayne Rooney set to leave Manchester United, according to former defender Phil Neville

He could have played his final game as a United player at Old Trafford on Sunday

Rooney only managed five Premier League goals this season (Getty)

Phil Neville has urged Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney to leave the club this summer in order to continue to progress in his career.

Despite becoming United’s all-time record goalscorer this season, Rooney has struggled for game time and spent most of the year on the bench or out injured.

He is not expected to start against Ajax in the Europa League final on Wednesday night after playing nearly 90 minutes against Crystal Palace in the final game of the season on Sunday.

Rooney was replaced by 16-year-old Angel Gomes in a changing-of-the-guard-like moment in what could have been his last game as a United player at Old Trafford.

Former club Everton are one of the clubs keen to sign Rooney, along with teams from China and the United States, and Neville believes the time is now right to leave the Red Devils.

“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,” he told Sky Sports.

“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.”