• Premier League

I want to play under Fergie until I retire - Rooney

ESPN staff
January 10, 2012
Wayne Rooney has rejected claims he is on his way out of Manchester United © Getty Images
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Wayne Rooney has scoffed at reports that he is on his way out of Manchester United, claiming he wants to remain under Sir Alex Ferguson's management for the remainder of his career.

Reports over the weekend suggested Ferguson was "ready to let Rooney go", which was strongly denied by both parties.

Rooney was dropped for United's defeat to Blackburn on New Year's Eve, prompting speculation of a rift between striker and manager. But Rooney claims Ferguson was the reason why he moved to United in the first place, and insists he never wants to work under anybody else.

"Sir Alex is the greatest manager of all time," Rooney told The Sun. "Of course I would like to play under him for the rest of my career.

"He's a great manager and is a big reason why I joined Manchester United. If I could finish my career playing under Sir Alex then I won't have gone far wrong."

Although Ferguson missed out on the FIFA Coach of the Year award to Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, he was recognised for his 25 years at Old Trafford, picking up the Presidential award for services to the game at the gala event in Zurich on Monday.

And Rooney, who was the only Englishman named in the fifpro Team of the Year, believes that despite Guardiola's award, Ferguson is the better manager.

"He is, in my eyes, the best ever," Rooney said. "His success and his trophies speak for themselves. He's an incredible manager and has done so much for football and so much for my game as well.

"His every-day commitment to his job is what makes him stand out. He's in before the players every morning and leaves after you. His commitment, his desire to win and his dedication is incredible."

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