Rooney rejects opportunity to force United exit.
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Wayne Rooney could make a shock u-turn and remain at Manchester United, with Sky Sports claiming that the 27-year-old has rejected the advice of Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho to submit a transfer request at Old Trafford.
The England international has been unsettled for much of the summer after becoming one of Chelsea’s main transfer targets, but United have been adamanent throughout the saga that he would not be sold, and David Moyes may now have persuaded him to stay with the club.
There were doubts over whether Rooney would be first choice for United this season, but he started for them against Chelsea in last night’s Premier League clash at Old Trafford, and gave a strong display against Mourinho’s side in a 0-0 draw.
It was after the match that Mourinho set Rooney a deadline for submitting a transfer request, but it appears now that Rooney will not be doing so, forcing Chelsea to consider other options such as Anzhi Makhachkala striker Samuel Eto’o.
Moyes also commented on the Rooney situation after the game, praising him for his performance and suggesting that he doesn’t need to seek a move away from the club.
“I was very pleased with his performance and I was very pleased with the reaction from the crowd,” said the United manager.
“I think Wayne has a positive mind at the moment. I don’t think he needs to change. I think his performance said enough. I think his actions showed what he thought.”
This news will come as a big boost to Moyes in his first season in charge at United, as he will have been desperate to avoid losing a big name player to a major title rival.