LONDON: Wayne Rooney was knocked out by a horror injury yesterday in Manchester United's 3-2 win over Fulham at Old Trafford - and now he could even be sold for £50million if he does not shape up, The Sun reported.

It's understood United’s patience has been stretched to the limit by Rooney's behavior on and off the pitch.

Now the club would consider selling him for £50m if they do not see an improvement.

The England striker was left on the bench for the match against Fulham and only came on in the 68th minute.

But he was soon taken off on a stretcher with an ugly deep gash on his right thigh after an accidental clash with Hugo Rodellega.

United manager Alex Ferguson confirmed his striker will now be out for at least four weeks.

That rules him out of England’s double 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine next month.

Ferguson’s programme notes yesterday contained a significant sentence.

After explaining how impressed he had been by new signing Robin van Persie’s desire to play for United, Fergie added: “If I hear a player has fallen out of love with us, and is looking elsewhere I invariably help them out of the door.”

Rooney was poor in last Monday’s 1-0 defeat at Everton and Ferguson is understood to be unhappy with his fitness levels.

But the club were concerned about Rooney’s form, fitness and off field behavior even before he returned for pre-season training — and discussions were held at boardroom level.

His desperate day yesterday ended on a stretcher and an ambulance to hospital after he jumped to block a Rodallega shot in stoppage time — and the Fulham player landed on him.

Fulham manager Martin Jol admitted he was stunned to see Rooney dumped on the bench.

“I was surprised. I thought van Persie and Rooney would play.

“I know Kagawa from my time in Germany and I knew he would not play on the left. I thought it might have been an advantage because my players did not know him.

“He is a quality player. But Rooney is a fantastic player as well.”

- mD