Manchester United doctor Mike Stone has left Old Trafford following a major bust-up with Sir Alex Ferguson.
Just 24 hours before Wayne Rooney is due to have the scan which will either make or break his hopes of appearing in this summer's World Cup, it has emerged that Stone, the man under whom the brilliant forward was being treated, has had his employment with United terminated with immediate effect.
Red Devils officials are insistent Stone's departure has nothing to do with Rooney's recovery from the broken metatarsal he suffered at Chelsea last month. However, with details over the reasons behind the dispute with Ferguson still sketchy, speculation the problem stems from something to do with Rooney is bound to be rife.