Alexander Isak's bitter transfer saga rumbles on, with the Newcastle United striker supposedly refusing to play for the club, and his approach hasn't impressed Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney talking to Sir Alex Ferguson
Wayne Rooney clashed twice with Sir Alex Ferguson over Manchester United future
(Image: Getty Images)
Wayne Rooney has criticised Alexander Isak's attempts to force a move away from Newcastle, over a decade after the England legend tried to engineer his own exit from Manchester United.
The Swedish international has found himself at the centre of the summer transfer window's most contentious saga as he seeks to depart the Premier League side after three years in Tyneside.
Liverpool made a £110million offer for his services, which was promptly turned down at the beginning of the month. It's reported that Isak has vowed never to play for the club again, despite having three years remaining on his contract.
The 25-year-old spoke out for the first time this summer earlier this week, accusing the club's management of "breaking promises". Isak was notably absent from the Magpies' matchday squad for their league opener against Aston Villa, which ended in a goalless draw.
With less than 10 days left in the window, it's uncertain whether Isak – who has been training alone – will secure his desired move to Anfield or if Eddie Howe will manage to retain his star player. He is not expected to feature against Liverpool on Monday night.
Many have voiced their opinions on Isak's conduct in his bid to secure a move, with Rooney confessing that if he were a team-mate of the Swede, he wouldn't welcome him back, reports the Mirror.
While there's no proof that the Red Devils icon refused to train or play in the two instances he asked to leave Old Trafford, he asserted that there are appropriate ways to request a departure.
Alexander Isak throwing his hands up in the air
Alexander Isak is pushing for a move to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
"If I'm a Newcastle player, I don't want Isak back," he said on the BBC's Wayne Rooney Show. "I think if players leave football clubs – and that happens all the time – there's a way to go about it. You can't go on strike, can't not turn up for training and train with your team-mates.
"If you want to leave the club or not, you have to be there for your team-mates and be ready if needed. So I think if I was a player I wouldn't want him back. He's deserted you. He doesn't want to be there, he doesn't want to be your team-mate. So I wouldn't want him back."
Rooney's own experience at United provides context to his strong stance. Back in 2010, the striker initially handed in a transfer request to quit Old Trafford but was eventually persuaded to remain before penning a lucrative five-year contract, with Sir Alex Ferguson choosing to look the other way regarding the initial saga where the player had sought a move to Chelsea.
Just three years later though, during Ferguson's final campaign at the helm, Rooney once more requested to depart the club, with the legendary Scotsman confirming United had rejected his transfer plea. Ferguson revealed this was why Rooney was missing from his final home match in charge, a 2-1 victory over Swansea.
Wayne Rooney working as a pundit for BBC Sport
Wayne Rooney believes there's no way back for Isak at St James' Park
(Image: Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
He explained: "I don't think Wayne was keen to play, simply because he has asked for a transfer."
Yet again, Rooney was persuaded to remain, this time under David Moyes' stewardship, as he signed a contract extension with the club in February 2014.
Despite Rooney's assertion that Isak can no longer redeem himself in the north east, he certainly managed to do so under both Ferguson and Moyes.
Rooney added: "Now, Newcastle aren't happy with Isak's behaviour because Liverpool want to sign him. But then on the flip side of that, Newcastle are trying to sign Yoane Wissa who's behaving the exact same way at Brentford.
"I remember Anthony Gordon not playing for Everton because he wanted to go to Newcastle. So you can't have it both ways. But in terms of Isak's team-mates, I wouldn't want him back. Once you've overstepped the mark I think it's very difficult to come back in.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe.
Eddie Howe admitted he's hoping Isak can return to Newcastle
(Image: Harriet Massey/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
"You can ask to leave a football club – that happens – or the club tell you you're leaving. But you have to be professional. You've got friends in there who you play with, you have fans who are paying a lot of money to support and you can't just walk out on it. And if they're going to do it once, they'll do it again.
"For me, I don't think there's any way back for Isak at Newcastle. I think there are cases where it can happen, but from me as a person, don't think I could accept them back."
Newcastle will welcome Liverpool on Monday Night Football in their first home match of the season, promising an exciting evening of action with emotions likely to run high at St. James' Park.