Mancini denies contact with Rooney over move to Eastlands
Published:Sir Alex Ferguson’s announcement that Wayne Rooney has been seeking a move away from Manchester United since August, had led to some suggesting that Manchester City had been in contact over a possible move for a while.
But Roberto Mancini has publically denied the club has had any contact with the want-away striker, and Mancini believes that Man Utd will tempt Rooney into staying at the club – Rooney is 1/2 to leave in the January transfer window.
Mancini said, “Rooney is a very good player but I think he will stay at United.”
When asked if Man City had been in contact, the Italian said, “No, never. I have never seen him, never.
“The owners have a big ambition for the future, for now, but in this moment we must think about tomorrow [against Lech Poznan], the next game against Arsenal.”
Rooney has been the subject of much speculation since Ferguson’s press conference yesterday, with Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola expressing their interest in signing the striker.
“He is one of the greatest players in the world as there are very few players with his qualities,” said Guardiola, “he’s a player I admire very much.”
Rooney is 12/1 to start the 2011/12 season at Barcelona with Man City current 4/5 favourites to land the strikers signature, but Rooney is 3/1 to start next season at Real Madrid.
“He probably wants to leave for some reasons, but I believe he belongs to Man Utd,” said Mourinho.
“But if at the end of day Man Utd decides that he is to leave, give me a call.”
Mourinho may have a hidden agenda for suggesting Rooney’s would be better staying at Man Utd, as Mourinho eyes up the Man Utd managers job when Ferguson retires – Mourinho is 5/2 to be the next Man Utd manager.
Rooney is 2/1 to stay at Man Utd. See the full Barclays Premier League football betting odds market here.
