Old Trafford striker may now be offered a new contract by the Red Devils in January.
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Former Chelsea captain Marcel Desailly has claimed that unsettled Manchester United front man Wayne Rooney was never really interested in signing for the Blues this summer, according to reports in the Daily Star.
The England international surprised many in the world of football by announcing his intention to quit the Premier League champions and move to Stamford Bridge this season, with Rooney said to be upset at comments made by previous United head coach Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Scot claimed that Rooney had asked for a move away from the north west towards the end of the previous campaign, a suggestion that the player himself has strongly denied.
However, the striker did then make it clear that he wanted to depart United earlier this summer, although Desailly now says that this was simply a negotiating tactic used by Rooney and his representatives in order to get a new bumper contract from the Red Devils.
In fact, the Englishman did use a similar ploy three years ago when Rooney said he wanted to join United’s arch rivals Manchester City, only for the forward to then be given a new big-money deal to keep him out of the Blues’ clutches.
And the former France international says the attacker has used the same clever tactics again.
“I wasn’t really sure he wanted to make a move to Chelsea,” Desailly told CNN.
“I think it is more business, than a desire to move from the club.
“Three years ago he was very clever telling the club that he wants to move to Manchester City. The club have allowed him to get the biggest salary and sign a new contract.
“This time I think they have tried again – it is business, they play the game and try to earn more.
“He doesn’t really want to move. Nobody really showed, apart from Chelsea, that they want Rooney completely, truly.”