Even on the brink of estrangement, Wayne Rooney is a central figure.

A battle of wills has gathered around the striker and the attention alone must dispel the view that he is a player lost to inexorable decline.

The first challenge of David Moyes' reign at Old Trafford is to remain in control of Rooney's future, the opening skirmish of the championship. Jose Mourinho wants to take him to Stamford Bridge, Rooney is interested, and Moyes faces a significant decision that could define his debut season.

The manager has been adamant Rooney will remain at Manchester United this season; the calculation being that an ultimatum would revive the explosive brilliance that once came so naturally to him. With two years left on Rooney's contract, Moyes and Ed Woodward, the executive vice-chairman, were prepared to wait 12 months before assessing their next move.

The striker was, in effect, to renew the old certainties of his game or accept that his future lay elsewhere. Yet Chelsea are prepared to force an outcome now. Their opening bid of £22m was rejected, and it was a measure of United's unwillingness to accept being outflanked that journalists covering their pre-season tour were apparently briefed that the offer included either Juan Mata or David Luiz. Chelsea quickly denied that either of their leading players would be leaving Stamford Bridge. Manipulations of the media can be discarded as trivial, but it is clear enough that United believe Rooney has been tempted. Earlier this week, Mourinho said that the only player the club would bid for this summer is the England striker.

The player has been burdened, since the carefree aplomb of his youth has been replaced by a careworn self-absorption. His relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson deteriorated to such an extent that a heated conversation between the two last season led to Ferguson revealing that Rooney had asked for a transfer, something the player vehemently denies. The arrival of Moyes was an opportunity to renew his spirit. It therefore seemed clumsy to effectively describe the player as second choice to Robin van Persie, but the manager is deliberate in dealing with the press. The comment was either an expression of his authority, or confirmation that United already knew Rooney was considering leaving for Chelsea.

Other clubs have been interested, but only Arsenal would remain as likely contenders. Rooney has always been keen on Barcelona and Real Madrid, and is said to have rejected the idea of a move to Paris St-Germain, but all these clubs have bought strikers this summer, while Rooney's wife, Coleen, has no wish to leave the UK. Mourinho, naturally, is prepared to be scheming.

He remarked that a player who is on the bench will fear for his place in the national squad. Even if Rooney is forced to make a transfer request and a sizeable fee is involved, were he to be revived at Stamford Bridge and be motivated against perceived slights, Mourinho would consider it a victory over Moyes.

United are trying to be dynamic in their move on from the Ferguson era. It was a minor snub to lose out to Bayern Munich in the chase for Thiago Alcantara, but the midfielder's agent is the brother of Pep Guardiola, the German club's new manager. While high-profile signings are being sought as a statement of intent, Moyes tends to be a prudent shopper, and will not rise to the valuation that Everton have placed on Leighton Baines.

The pursuit of Cesc Fabregas is more insistent, and suggests that United believe the player would welcome a move to Old Trafford. Barcelona suggest otherwise, but have yet to formally reject United's £26m offer. The midfielder shares an agent with, and remains a close friend of, Van Persie, and Moyes is keen to renew United's midfield. A move for Marouane Fellaini is also expected, but there are sensitivities in returning to Everton to sign his former club's best two players.

Ferguson's reputation was a draw for potential signings, but United did miss out on several leading players down the years. Yet Moyes will be judged by the way he rebuilds United this summer. At a business lunch in Sydney, a montage of footage from last season's title win was played, which again reminded Moyes of the scale of the task he faces.

Rooney was not integral to Manchester United last season, which reflected Ferguson's view that the team was often better served without him. He craves being considered indispensable. Moyes has to weigh up Rooney's worth, but also the risk of allowing him to join a rival club. The psychological war is already under way.