Sick of repeatedly being played away from the central forward areas the 27-year-old feels he is best suited to, it seems Rooney's Manchester United career has been saved by Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.
There certainly appeared to be little future for Rooney with the Scot in charge.
Yet under David Moyes he is flourishing again, restored to the position he likes best.
"There came a point where I had to be a bit selfish for my own career," said Rooney.
"Everyone at the club knew where I wanted to play. That wasn't happening.
"I've had no problem playing out of position in the past, but I'm a forward and I felt I deserved the right to play in my position.
"David Moyes has come in, he's playing me up front, and I'm enjoying it."
The knowledge Ferguson, who was handed a seat on the board by United and retained at an estimated cost of ?2million, would remain an influential figure led the former Everton man to conclude his days were numbered.
Instead, Moyes made keeping Rooney his major summer target.
Source: PA
Source: PA