Former Manchester United coach Mike Phelan admits there's no telling how fans will react to Wayne Rooney when he takes the pitch again.

Phelan told BBC Radio Five Live that it was difficult to predict the fans' reaction, which Rooney may first experience in Rio Ferdinand's testimonial game against Sevilla on Friday August 9.

A reported second transfer request, following Rooney's initial request in October 2010, is a test of fans's support.

"I think that is a difficult one," Phelan said. "I think you can put your first one down to inexperience maybe but the second one is putting yourself right out there and somewhere along the line there will be , I think some words said, there will be some meetings, and they will see whether it's still alive and worth going for or they will call it, call time on it."