The loss of Rooney - United's leading scorer this season with 14 goals in all competitions, and seven in his last nine matches - is a major setback for boss Louis van Gaal at a time when his side are six points off the pace in the race for a top-four finish in the Premier League and his position is under increasing scrutiny.
Having allowed Danny Welbeck, Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez to leave Old Trafford while James Wilson went on loan to Brighton, Van Gaal's striking options now look very limited.
Source: PA