The Manchester United footballer Wayne Rooney says requesting a transfer away from Old Trafford two years ago was the biggest mistake of his career.
Rooney, who has been ruled out of England's World Cup qualifier against Moldova in Chisinau because he is recovering from a gash to his thigh, made the comment in his latest autobiography, which is being serialised by the Daily Mirror.
In the book he refers to a statement he issued in October 2010 in which he questioned United's ability to attract top players, and indicated that he wanted to leave Old Trafford because the club could not meet his ambitions.
However, two days later he changed his mind and signed a new five-year contract, and the 26-year-old says he now looks back on the incident with regret.
Rooney says he hopes to back playing by the end of the month.
