• Premier League

Mourinho: Rooney will stay at Manchester United

ESPNsoccernet staff
October 18, 2010
Jose Mourinho has backed Sir Alex Ferguson to solve his reported fallout with Wayne Rooney © Getty Images
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Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho believes contract rebel Wayne Rooney will stay at Manchester United despite talk of the striker swapping Old Trafford for the Bernabeu.

Rooney sparked rumours of a United exit last week when he contradicted manager Sir Alex Ferguson's claims that he had an ankle injury, and it is understood he is now refusing to discuss a contract extension.

Rooney, 24, has little more than 20 months to run on his current deal and, amid claims he has fallen out with Ferguson, it is reported that United could cash in.

United took the unusual step of dismissing the stories on Sunday, with a club spokesman stating: "To suggest Wayne Rooney will be sold in January is nonsense". However, the reports have continued to intensify across the English press.

Ferguson is finalising his plans for a response to the eruption around Rooney, which is expected to be delivered on Tuesday, but Mourinho, whose side have been put at the head of the queue to sign the England international, expects him to stay.

"I don't think he will [become available]," Mourinho said ahead of Real's Champions League clash with AC Milan. "I think the big man will persuade him to stay."

Ferguson will doubtless be questioned on the issue on Tuesday when he is due to attend a press conference ahead of United's Champions League encounter with Turkish champions Bursaspor.

Rooney's future has been a hot topic during Monday's Champions League press conferences, and Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti refused to be drawn on whether the Blues would show an interest in the striker.

"I cannot really give an answer about this," Ancelotti said. "Rooney is a Manchester United player and he has some problem at this moment but the club has experience and when a big team has top players like Rooney, they want to keep him in the squad."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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