Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has declared that Wayne Rooney would regret any hasty decision to leave Old Trafford this summer.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed last night that the forward has handed in a transfer request and expressed his desire to find a new club in the close season.

Neville believes that Rooney's performances have dipped in recent months and has urged the England international to think long and hard before heading for the United exit door.

He told Sky Sports News: "I played with Wayne Rooney, I know Wayne Rooney and I'm a coach of Wayne Rooney. He needs to consider that. If he sees what's going on in this football club today (United lifting the Premier League trophy), he's an emotional lad.

"You can see in the last few months he's not been quite himself. When you see Wayne Rooney on the football pitch, challenging every single challenge, fighting for every refereeing decision, you can see he's not quite been himself.

"He wears his heart on his sleeve, however, if he's seen what's happened today at this football club, there's nowhere to go from here. Believe me, I've seen football players go to Real Madrid, and other great clubs in Europe, and they always want to come back to this football club."

The 27-year-old was left out of United's squad for Ferguson's final match at Old Trafford yesterday, a 2-1 win over Swansea City.