Rooney, now with Manchester United, began his professional career aged 16 under Moyes at Everton.

In his recent autobiography, My Story So Far, the 20-year-old England striker said Moyes was overbearing, controlling and ultimately responsible for his transfer to Manchester United in 2004.

Excerpts of those criticisms were published in the Daily Mail, which is owned by Associated Newspapers, on July 25.

Moyes' lawyer Mel Goldberg said Friday that a writ had been issued against Associated Newspapers, for the Daily Mail and its editor.

``At this stage, no proceedings have been issued against Wayne Rooney, for various reasons _ the book has got to be fully read and David Moyes has to consider whether that is something he wants to do,'' Goldberg said.

``If he does choose to go down that route, then the publisher Harper Collins would be named on the writ and probably Wayne Rooney as well.''

Earlier, Goldberg said the main contention in the book was ``Moyes forced me out''.

``No manager wants to lose his best player and that was far from the truth,'' Goldberg told BBC Radio.

Goldberg said Moyes was also upset at allegations in the book that he had leaked a story about Rooney visiting brothels to a local newspaper.

``David Moyes is a very straight, honest, decent, hard-working man,'' Goldberg said. ``He is very ethical and to be accused of releasing or breaking confidences upset him a great deal. He spent six months trying to persuade him to stay and this really hurt him a great deal.

``If a manager's reputation has been damaged, he has got to put the record straight.''

Rooney's management said it hadn't received any official communication from Moyes and was therefore unable to make any comment. Harper Collins said the same. Associated Newspapers did not comment.