Denied ... Bayern Munich deny they have made a play for Red Devils striker Wayne Rooney.Source: Jon Super / AFP
Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer insists his club have no interest in signing Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed at the weekend that Rooney had made a transfer request, heightening speculation over the England international's future.
German champions Bayern have been amongst a number of clubs linked with Rooney but Sammer has firmly denied any interest.
"I don't know what Rooney would bring to the Bundesliga," Sammer is quoted by the Daily Telegraph. "I can't answer that.
"I can answer that we have great respect for Wayne Rooney but there has been no contact with him.
Praise ... Wayne Rooney lauds retiring manager Sir Alex Ferguson.Source: Martin Rickett / AFP
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney on Tuesday praised the retiring Alex Ferguson as a "fantastic manager" - just days after the veteran Scottish boss revealed that the striker had submitted a transfer request.
New United manager David Moyes meanwhile lauded Rooney as "one of the best players in the world" - an indication the man who gave the player his professional debut when they were both at Everton might want him to stay with the Red Devils.
Ferguson was given a rapturous send-off by a 75,000 crowd on Sunday and the adulation continued Monday when he took centre stage during am open top bus parade to Manchester Town Hall to celebrate the 13th Premier League title of the Scot's United reign.
The only sour note came when some fans booed Rooney as he took his place on the bus, clearly unhappy the striker would want to leave.
Rooney, speaking to United's in-house television station MUTV, tried to play down any talk of a rift between with Ferguson, saying the former Aberdeen manager deserved all the plaudits he received during the parade.
"It is a fitting tribute to the manager after so long and so much success. As much as it is for the team, it's for the manager, for what he has achieved and what he has done to this football club. He deserves everything he has got," Rooney said.
"He has been brilliant for us all. He is a great manager, he is successful and he is a winner. To do it for so long is incredible, he is a fantastic manager."
Ferguson, who retires at the end of the season, dropped Rooney for the Swansea match and said the forward had not been in the right frame of mind to play.
"I don't think Wayne was keen to play because he's asked for a transfer and he wants to think it through in his mind. I think that's a good idea," Ferguson told Sky Sports.
"We're not going to let him go. I think maybe he's a little bit frustrated."
Rooney last asked to leave United in 2010, when he accused the club of failing to match his ambitions, only to change his mind and sign a new five-year contract.
Time to move on? ... Wayne Rooney with Sir Alex Ferguson.Source: Jon Super / AAP
Wayne Rooney took some of the gloss off Alex Ferguson's Old Trafford farewell party after the United manager confirmed the striker has asked to leave the club for the second time in three years.
Ferguson, who retires at the end of the season, dropped Rooney for the 2-1 win over Swansea City in his final home game, and said the England international had not been in the right frame of mind to play.
P
W
D
L
GD
Pts
1
Man United
37
28
4
5
43
88
2
Man City
36
22
9
5
31
75
3
Chelsea
37
21
9
7
35
72
4
Tottenham
37
20
9
8
19
69
5
Arsenal
36
19
10
7
31
67
6
Everton
37
16
15
6
16
63
7
Liverpool
37
15
13
9
27
58
8
West Brom
37
14
6
17
-4
48
9
Swansea
37
11
13
13
-1
46
10
West Ham
37
11
10
16
-10
43
11
Stoke
37
9
14
14
-11
41
12
Norwich
37
9
14
14
-18
41
13
Newcastle
37
11
8
18
-22
41
14
Southampton
37
9
13
15
-11
40
15
Fulham
37
10
10
17
-13
40
16
Aston Villa
37
10
10
17
-22
40
17
Sunderland
37
9
12
16
-12
39
18
Wigan
36
9
8
19
-23
35
19
Reading
36
6
10
20
-26
28
20
QPR
37
4
13
20
-29
25
"I don't think Wayne was keen to play because he's asked for a transfer and he wants to think it through in his mind. I think that's a good idea,'' said Ferguson.
"We're not going to let him go. I think maybe he's a little bit frustrated that he's been taken off once or twice in the last few weeks.''
Asked to confirm that Rooney had submitted a transfer request, Ferguson said: "Yes, he's asked, yeah.''
"We have refused it. I think he should go away and think it over again. He wasn't happy about being taken off a few times this season, but a Wayne Rooney in top form wouldn't be taken off.''
Asked if Rooney would stay at the club, Ferguson said: "It's not my decision now.''
Rooney, 27, first asked to leave United in 2010, when he accused the club of failing to match his ambitions, only to change his mind and sign a new five-year contract.
Although he was not included in United's match-day squad, he took part in the post-match celebrations after the squad were presented with the Premier League trophy and was also seen to share a brief on-pitch embrace with Ferguson.
Speculation about his future was sparked after he was left out of the United starting XI for the crucial Champions League last 16 home game against Real Madrid in March, with England teammate Danny Welbeck playing in his place.
He has also been obliged to play in an unfamiliar midfield role in recent weeks, due to top scorer Robin van Persie's status as the club's number-one striker.
Rumours that Rooney had asked to leave the club again first emerged shortly after Ferguson announced last week that he was leaving Old Trafford after a record-breaking 26-and-a-half-year spell in which he has won 38 trophies.
Ferguson's successor, David Moyes, gave Rooney his professional debut at the age of 16 when he was at Everton.
Rooney joined United in a $A41.81 million transfer two years later and although Moyes sued him over remarks that appeared in the player's autobiography in 2006, the pair later reconciled.
On the way out? ... David Moyes has a fight on his hands to keep Wayne Rooney.Source: Paul Ellis / AFP
One of the most pressing items in David Moyes' in-tray when he takes over as Manchester United manager on July 1 will be what to do with Wayne Rooney.
United insisted on Wednesday the England striker was not for sale, but a person familiar with the situation said Rooney held talks with manager Alex Ferguson in recent weeks and indicated he wanted to leave.
Those discussions took place before Ferguson announced he was retiring at the end of the season.
It's the second time Rooney has asked to quit United, having backed down from a transfer request in 2010 after negotiating a new and improved contract.
Rooney fuelled further speculation overnight by removing the term "Manchester United player" from his Twitter page and replaced it with "NikeUK athlete"
At the time Rooney was widely considered among the world's top strikers. Now, he is no longer the No.1 choice at United, slipping behind Robin van Persie in the list of strikers at Old Trafford this season and often playing in central midfield.
It was Moyes who reluctantly sold Rooney to United in 2004 and then launched successful legal action against the striker over allegations in Rooney's autobiography that the Scot leaked details of a private conversation to the media about the factors behind Rooney's move from Everton.
The pair appear to be back on good terms but it won't stop the speculation.
Rooney is reportedly being pursued by Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain - two of Europe's top sides - but could see Moyes' arrival as a chance to revive his time at United.
On the way out ... Is Rooney joining Fergie at the exit door?Source: Graham Stuart / AFP
It’s been less than 24 hours since Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement and the rumour mill is about to explode.
How will the club’s roster – and ability to recruit – be affected by Fergie’s exit?
The Daily Mail have declared: "Ronaldo lined up for stunning Man United return as Rooney asks to follow Ferguson out of Old Trafford... and Chelsea are confident of luring £25m England striker to London".
Rooney reportedly told Ferguson two weeks ago that he "wanted a fresh start" after a punctuated season, where he played second-fiddle to Robin van Persie.
Meanwhile, they claim Ronaldo, who just banged in his 200th Real Madrid goal on Thursday (EST), is on the cusp of returning to Old Trafford. Outgoing CEO David Gill has been in Madrid meeting with the Portuguese’s agent.
The unanimous verdict seems to have anointed David Moyes as Ferguson’s successor at Old Trafford – but will that entice Rooney to stay or push him quicker out the door? The pair last worked together at Goodison Park in 2004, before a teenage Rooney departed for the bright lights of Manchester United.
Before Ferguson’s bombshell, the Daily Mirror had linked Rooney with a move to Bayern Munich in a £30million deal. They’ve now revised that to add that Roman "Abramovich has personally sanctioned raid on Manchester United for striker who's facing reunion with his old Toffees foe Moyes".
Rooney hasn’t yet formalised his discontent with a transfer request, but it will be fascinating to monitor the situation in the coming days if Moyes is appointed.
"Wayne Rooney has been told by Manchester United that he will not be sold this summer, although it remains to be seen whether David Moyes wants to keep the player with whom he had a difficult relationship at Everton," writes Oliver Kay in The Times.
Great player ... PSG's president is an admirer of Wayne Rooney.Source: Martin Rickett / AAP
Paris Saint Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has confirmed that the club are interested in Wayne Rooney - but has denied making a formal approach.
The Champions League returns on Wednesday morning (EDT), and there is quite a game in store in France as big spending PSG take on Barcelona.
Ahead of the clash with Barca, Al-Khelaifi spoke with Sky Sports News' (UK) chief news reporter Bryan Swanson, and he revealed that he is happy to see big-name players linked with the club, as it highlights their progress.
Join foxsports.com.au for a LIVE BLOG of the Champions League quarter-final clash between Paris St Germain and Barcelona, from 5.45am (EDT) Wednesday.
"Thankfully there is a lot of players really interested in the club, this was not the case when we bought the club," he told Sky Sports.
Quizzed about their reported interest in Rooney, he admitted to being a fan of the Manchester United forward - but denied making any approaches.
"I think we didn't talk honestly, he is a great player, he is one of the best strikers in the world," he said.
"I think everyone would like to have him but if you want to talk about the fact, we didn't approach him."
PSG have also been linked with the possible appointment of Arsene Wenger, but he also played this down.
"Arsene Wenger is a great manager and has done a great job with Arsenal," he said.
"But he has a contract for another year I believe I heard in the media and so he is I think staying in Arsenal but I cannot talk on his behalf, I don't know what he will decide but we have Carlo and we are very satisfied with Carlo Ancelotti."
Al-Khelaifi says the club's owners, the Qatar Investment Authority, will continue to 'invest' in PSG.
"We invest some money in the club, but we have to if we want to be in the top five clubs in Europe, we have to invest," he said.
Wayne Rooney ... scored the only goal of the game against Reading.
Manchester United moved 15 points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League with a 1-0 win which kept managerless Reading in deep relegation trouble.
A Wayne Rooney goal secured the victory as Sir Alex Ferguson's side capitalised on Manchester City's loss at Everton earlier in the day and now sit just 13 points from winning the title.
Defeat meant there was no quick-fix for Reading following the controversial sacking of Brian McDermott earlier in the week and they are now seven points from safety.
P
W
D
L
GD
Pts
1
Man United
29
24
2
3
38
74
2
Man City
29
17
8
4
25
59
3
Tottenham
29
16
6
7
15
54
4
Chelsea
28
15
7
6
26
52
5
Arsenal
29
14
8
7
23
50
6
Everton
29
12
12
5
11
48
7
Liverpool
30
12
9
9
18
45
8
West Brom
30
13
5
12
2
44
9
Swansea
30
10
10
10
2
40
10
Stoke
30
7
13
10
-8
34
11
Fulham
28
8
9
11
-5
33
12
West Ham
28
9
6
13
-9
33
13
Newcastle
29
9
6
14
-10
33
14
Norwich
29
7
12
10
-18
33
15
Southampton
30
7
10
13
-10
31
16
Sunderland
29
7
9
13
-9
30
17
Aston Villa
30
7
9
14
-25
30
18
Wigan
28
6
6
16
-22
24
19
Reading
30
5
8
17
-22
23
20
QPR
30
4
11
15
-22
23
Rio Ferdinand, whose return to the England squad has been a talking point, rolled back the years to turn in another marvellous performance, which included claiming the assist for Rooney's winner in the 21st minute.
Nipping in to intercept Garath McCleary's poor pass, Ferdinand advanced into the open space and nipped round a static Mikele Leigertwood before feeding Rooney just to his left.
The striker took aim and once his shot flicked off Alex Pearce, former Manchester City goalkeeper Stuart Taylor had no chance of keeping it out.
After being thrust into the spotlight following McDermott's shock dismissal earlier in the week, Eamonn Dolan became the 15th manager, including caretakers, to face United in their first Premier League game in charge.
Most have lost. And whilst Dolan was not quite accepting of his fate, he seemed to have settled on a policy of damage limitation despite Reading's position becoming even more perilous due to earlier triumphs for Southampton and Aston Villa.
But Reading should have had a chance to equalise immediately after half-time when Nemanja Vidic shoved Adrian Mariappa over inside the box. Reading appealed for what TV replays showed to be a clear foul but referee Lee Mason was unmoved.
United failed to profit from their good fortune, with Danny Welbeck and Ashley Young going close either side of a wild effort from the out-of-form Robin van Persie that flew out for a throw-in.
Rooney fired over before the final whistle but there was no Reading equaliser to worry about and, as certain as it appears United will end the season as champions, Reading look destined to finish it heading to the Championship.
Paper Talk ... the best football yarns and videos doing the rounds.Source:AAP
Welcome to Paper Talk - a wrap of the best yarns and videos doing the rounds.
Last week it was third division Turkey that entertained us, now the weird and wacky world of football takes us to Africa, the Middle East as well as Europe this week. From wandering weasels to taking the crossbar challenge a little too literally, it's all here, intertwined with a wrap of what's got people talking over their beers and coffees across the continent.
Even Fergie came out to declare: "he will be here next year, you have my word on that. There are no issues at all with the player. He’ll be involved on Sunday (against Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-final), no doubt about that".
That’s that then.
Um ….
Fergie's declaration was music to the ears of the English press this week, who dusted up the archives to remind us we can't always trust the Old Trafford boss.
When asked if he would sell David Beckham after leaving him out of a UCL tie in 2003, Fergie pronounced: "It is totally out of the question. There is no way we would sell him, or any of our best players."
He was gone in July.
What about in the case of Ruud van Nistelrooy, after he was left out of the 2006 Carling Cup final?
"He’s a member of our squad, no question. He’s on a long contract and we’re very happy with that situation. He has been patient and he’s never complained."
Gone in the summer.
Sky Sports' Jeff Stelling mused: "If Rooney is on his way out of Old Trafford, there will be plenty of takers. Don't believe for a minute that Manchester City aren't interested. They may say that, but they would, wouldn't they?
"They were interested before, in 2010, when it looked as though Rooney was on his way out and I've no doubt they're interested again. Why wouldn't they be?"
For those of you already tired of the Rooney rumanating, skip to the next sub-head!
The Daily Star has Monaco readying to prepare an audacious bid for the Englishman, while The Daily Mirror thinks an unsettled Zlatan Ibrahimovic will depart Paris Saint Germain, disillusioned with life in the French capital, opening the doors for David Beckham's boys to swoop.
If Ibra is looking for another destination, he’ll be happy to hear that Juventus director Pavel Nedved claims the club would be interested in signing him and Edinson Cavani.
NANI, EAT YOUR HEART OUT
If his was a high foot, what the hell is this?
SPEAKING OF BECKHAM ...
The scorer of the goal in this dusty vision from South Africa might just have something to say about Becks remaining the prince of the long-range speculator! Enjoy!
BEST OF THE RUMOUR MILL:
Modric: 27-year-old Luka Modric broke Manchester United's hearts last week, but The Daily Mail reports he still yearns for a move that fell through two years ago.
When Paul Scholes initially retired, Sir Alex Ferguson made Tottenham's Modric his No.1 target.
Nothing eventuated, and Modric left White Hart Lane for Real in a £33million deal.
But with the likes of Giggs and Scholes now closer to retirement than ever before, Modric has returned to the radar as he looks for regular time on the pitch - which he isn't getting at Madrid.
Torres: Anzhi Makhachkala have failed to try and persuade Fernando Torres to leave Chelsea for Russia in the summer, The Daily Mail reports.
Valdes: The agent of Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has denied reports linking the Spanish international with a move to Brazilian side Sao Paulo. He has also been linked with Arsenal - Sky Sports.
Neymar: Neymar has revealed that Santos have offered him a new contract in a bid to ward off interest in him from Europe. "Santos have now offered us a deal for him to renew his contract, but we will have to wait and talk to them," Neymar's father and agent explained at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Brazil.
NOT A SPECIAL RUN FOR THE SPECIAL ONE
The world was in raptures over last week's Old Trafford showdown. Not so Jose.
"Yes it was a good week with three good wins but I’ve had bigger, better wins," he told The Sun.
"The best run of all was winning the three matches to claim the three titles with Inter Milan.
"First we won the Italian Cup beating Roma in the final.
"Then we went to Siena where we won to become Italian champions. Finally we had the Champions League final in Madrid and we won it with a victory over Bayern Munich.
"Now that is what I call a special run."
WHILE WE’RE TALKING ABOUT POTENTIAL FUTURE MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGERS …
Ole Gunner Solskjaer, making his name in management with back-to-back premierships with Molde in Norway, harbours dreams of replacing Sir Alex. But he thinks one of his old mates might beat him to it.
"Giggsy is going to play another year (but) I'd say he's got his eyes and ears open more to what the manager is doing," Solskjaer told Reuters. "He's looking at that job for himself, Giggsy. He's got top potential."
"I've said it before that my dream is to manage Man United - that's tongue in cheek really, because it's a massive job, it's the biggest job in the world," Solskjaer said.
"But you have to dream big - if you don't dream big you won't make it, so let's just wait and see what happens."
DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME
They won't be using this as the promo for the 24-team Dream Football League that they are trying to set up in the Middle East by pinching the likes of Manchester United, Bayern Munich and AC Milan away from the UEFA Champions League.
LIVERPOOL SET FOR SUMMER SPENDING SPREE
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed the club could bring in"three or four quality players" in the summer.
The Reds have been linked with several targets from across Europe, including Swansea centre-back Ashley Williams, PSG forward Jeremy Menez and Feyenoord defender Stefan de Vrij.
The manager says he is hoping to make some new acquisitions, particularly with veteran defender Jamie Carragher set to retire in the summer.
He told the club's official website: "There is a natural rebuilding with the likes of Carra going.
"I am happy with the squad and if I can then put another three or four quality players to it, then great. But it is quality we are after, not quantity."
Rodgers is pleased by the impact Phillipe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge are having at the club since arriving in January.
The manager added: "We see Coutinho and Sturridge's quality.
"There were some key positions we needed support in but I didn't want to waste the club's money. I like to know what we are bringing in."
- Sky Sports
REMEMBER DJIMI TRAORE?
The former Liverpool defender? Scorer of infamous FA Cup own goal in 2005? Bet you don't remember him doing this. Ridiculous.
GOOD ONE, RAFA
It's been a funny old couple of weeks for Rafa Benitez at Chelsea. The Londoners must overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit if they are to overcome Steaua and reach the last eight of the Europa League - and if they do, they'll face six games in 15 days.
Before any excuses are made, Rafa has apportioned the blame - to himself! Great smokescreen.
"I can do nothing about that. I just concentrate on my job and try to do my best, preparing the team for every competition," he said.
"Maybe someone else will blame me. Some people always say that it's my fault, that everything is my fault!
"You are clever enough to realise that I was joking. If something is wrong they want to blame me. But I have to manage this, too.
"You have to analyse every single thing and you will decide what to do and still someone will criticise you. If you lose a game, it's 'oh, he picked the wrong player' or whatever.
"It's quite difficult, but each team is different and it depends on the players that you have, the positions and the congestion.
"I will try to lead by example, so I will concentrate on the next game. That is what I have to do, to make sure we compete in every single competition. The first one is on Thursday."
DIDIER'S LAST LAUGH
There will be plenty of fall-out as England fields no teams in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
The Daily Mirror quipped on Twitter: "Arsenal will be holding an open bus parade to show off their restored pride on Tuesday lunchtime, officials have confirmed".
And what about Didier Drogba. Unwanted by Chelsea after playing a starring role in reaching the crown last year. Now Drogba is in the last eight with Turkish club Galatasaray, while Chelsea cling onto a spot in the Europa League.
BALE REPORT, WEEK 3
Real Madrid are toying with the idea of using Gonzalo Higuain as trade bait in their bid to snare Gareth Bale.
According to The Metro, the La Liga club are preparing a player plus cash bid for the Welsh winger.
TEVEZ TROUBLE
AAP reports that Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has been charged by police with driving with his licence suspended and without insurance.
The Argentina international, who was arrested last week, was formally charged on Wednesday and will appear at a magistrates court on April 3.
The maximum penalty for driving while disqualified in England is six months in prison. Tevez was banned from driving for six months on January 16 after failing to respond to letters by police in relation to incidents where his car was caught speeding.
However, he was stopped by police while driving on a road near his home last Thursday. Tevez scored a hat trick for City in a 5-0 win over Barnsley in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, taking his season's tally in all competitions to 15.
Interesting times ... is Wayne Rooney going to stay at Manchester United?Source: Andrew Yates / AFP
In the short-term, Nani's red card has dominated the headlines.
But as Manchester United look to close out the season with a Barclays Premier League triumph, the long-term implication of Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League loss to Real Madrid will be the future of Wayne Rooney.
Will Wayne Rooney remain at Manchester United next season?
On a night when Cristiano Ronaldo returned to a stage he once shared with Rooney (and was arguably second fiddle to him at an early stage), what can we read into Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to leave Rooney on the bench for the biggest game of the season?
David Beckham was left out of against Real Madrid in 2003 and sold at the end of the season.
Ruud Van Nistelrooy was left out of the Carling Cup Final in 2006 and was sold at the end of that season.
The links are too tempting not to re-visit.
Former United skipper Roy Keane mused: "Wayne might be quite selfish about it and look at it and say the writing's on the wall for him."
Rooney, who won a new contract at Old Trafford after a game of contract cat and mouse with Ferguson when at the peak of his powers in 2010, has two-and-a-half years left on that deal.
Is this history repeating, with Fergie looking for another great piece of business? Indeed, Paris Saint Germain were linked last week with a lucrative, money-spinning move. And ESPN reports that Ferguson would accept a fee of £35 million for him in the European summer.
Or was it simply a pragmatic tactical selection?
For now, Fergie can suggest it was the latter.
Danny Welbeck – at times maligned for a lack of control or incisiveness – was an inspirational first-half performer, tracking Xabi Alonso while also providing a direct outlet for the home side on the break. And had Nani not been sent-off, Ferguson’s tactics would likely have got the job done.
Fergie has intimated that Rooney’s match fitness isn’t up to scratch after a series of injuries this season. Media reports in England suggest the manager has had concerns since Rooney reportedly reported for the season out of shape.
But he did play a full game and scored a sublime goal on the weekend.
This could simply be a kick up the backside, but in fact, Rooney’s season statistics are not that bad at all. Considering he has been clearly usurped by Robin van Persie as the club’s No.1 marksman and has had to adapt with being shuffled amongst the supporting pack, Rooney has netted 11 goals and had nine assists in 20 games.
Should Nani have been sent-off v Real Madrid?
It’s ironic that while Rooney once questioned the club’s direction and vision, Ferguson deemed him surplus for requirements in the biggest game in years.
Being left out of a big match has happened before, against Internazionale in the equivalent round in 2009.
But while Ronaldo has exploded into another ether since, Rooney’s expendability this week hints that a man destined to become a great England talisman is in no-man’s land at the moment.
So, even if there is nothing sinister and it’s just a tactical decision, the football world will be watching to see if the man himself is content with being second fiddle to RVP (he may have even fancied his chances of finishing some of the chances the Dutchman enjoyed over both legs), a playmaker not fancied for the big matches (or chosen as a worker, like in Madrid) or a squad man to be selected on a horses for courses basis.
A utility with a high profile …
And if perception is reality and it’s the end of an era, when did Ferguson lose faith and Rooney cease to be a goal scoring asset in big games?
Coleen Rooney tweeted: "Can't believe Wayne Rooney isn't starting tonight!" Will they be discussing a new home over the next few weeks?
Spotlight ... Wayne Rooney's future has become a hot topic.Source: Jon Super / AP
Bayern Munich might test Manchester United's resolve to keep Wayne Rooney, even though Alex Ferguson has promised that the forward will be offered a contract extension to keep him into his 30s.
Ferguson made the pledge at the end of a week heavy with speculation on Rooney's future after the decision to drop him to the bench against Real Madrid. Rooney, 28 in October, signed a deal in 2010 tying him to United until 2015 and Ferguson said: "There's no issue with his contract; when it has to be renegotiated, it will be done. We don't want good players to leave."
United's manager also gave his word that Rooney would not be sold this northern summer but Bayern could pose a dilemma should it act on the enthusiasm of their incoming manager, Pep Guardiola, for the England star. Guardiola once called Rooney "one of the greatest players in the world, as there are very few players with his qualities", and preliminary inquiries have been made on Bayern's behalf.
The German giant is one of the few clubs that could afford to buy Rooney.
His pay is about pound £220,000 ($321,000) a week and United considers him to be worth at least pound £20m. Bayern could try to capitalise on Rooney's admiration for Guardiola and the manager's former Barcelona team, as well as the offer to broaden the player's outlook. In his early 20s, Rooney asked reporters dismissively: "Lads -- can you see me playing abroad?" but he is now thought to be more open to the concept.
While Rooney was disappointed not to start against Real Madrid, there is no sign he would agitate for a transfer -- as he did at the time of his last extension, when Manchester City was interested. His marketing value to United remains enormous and, in terms of goals and assists in the Champions League and Premier League, he is having his equal-best season.
Ferguson suggested his best seasons may still be ahead of him. The manager ridiculed suggestions he was unhappy with Rooney's weight and that relations between the pair had broken down. "That's absolute rubbish, all of that. It's because he's a stellar England player. He's the Gascoigne, the Bobby Charlton, and therefore any publicity (the media) can get from him, they will use," Ferguson said.
Wayne Rooney ... not planning to leave Old Trafford any time soon.Source:AAP
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has dismissed widespread speculation that Wayne Rooney could leave the Barclays Premier League giants at the end of the season.
Will Wayne Rooney remain at Manchester United next season?
Rooney was dropped to the bench for Tuesday's Champions League match against Real Madrid, the team's biggest game of the season, sparking stories in the British media that the England striker might be sold.
However, Ferguson said on Friday that Rooney "will be here next year, you have my word on that".
Ferguson said there was "no issue between myself and Wayne Rooney - to suggest we don't talk is nonsense", and maintained his decision to leave the striker out against Madrid was tactical.
"He understood the reasons (for not being in the starting lineup) completely. Tactically, we got it right. We don't always but we did then.
"I left out Shinji Kagawa after he scored a hat-trick. I thought I would get more stick for that."
Ferguson said Rooney would be involved in United's FA Cup quarter-final against Chelsea.
"There are no issues with the player and he will be involved on Sunday."
Ferguson refused, however, to say whether 27-year-old Rooney would actually start against Chelsea.
"Why should I help anyone by telling them my team? We don't do that," he said.
"But Wayne does need a lot of football. He has always been that type. That has always been the case."
Wayne Rooney ... will miss Manchester United's clash against QPR.Source: Mike Egerton / AAP
Manchester United will be without Wayne Rooney and Phil Jones as they aim to stretch their lead at the top of the English Premier League to 15 points with victory against stone-last Queens Park Rangers.
Rooney, who has scored 10 goals in his past 11 starts, has a sinus problem, while Jones injured his ankle in Monday's 2-1 win at home to Reading in the FA Cup fifth round.
With progress in the FA Cup secured and a healthy 1-1 draw recorded in last week's trip to Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16, United can re-focus their attention on the quest for a 20th English league crown.
United face five consecutive games against sides in the table's bottom half, before a potential title decider at home to nearest rivals Manchester City on April 8.
With City facing an awkward game at home to third-placed Chelsea on Sunday, a United win at QPR could represent a decisive blow in the title race.
However, having seen his side squander an eight-point lead over City last season, United manager Alex Ferguson has warned his players to concentrate on the task at hand.
"The only way we can approach it is by taking care of each game and eventually we run out of matches,'' he said.
"I can understand from Manchester City's point of view why they are talking about us dropping points. But the fact of the matter is they will drop them as well.''
City have all but given up hope of retaining the title, after a run of three games without victory - culminating in a woeful 3-1 defeat at Southampton in their last league outing - dropped them 12 points off the pace.
They find themselves under pressure from Chelsea, who capitalised on City's defeat at St Mary's by crushing Wigan Athletic 4-1 to close within four points of Roberto Mancini's side.
Arsenal have endured a bleak week, crashing out of the FA Cup to second-tier Blackburn Rovers and then losing 3-1 to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, but they have plenty of incentive to beat Aston Villa on Saturday.
Tottenham Hotspur enjoy a four-point lead over Arsenal in the final Champions League spot but, with Spurs not in action until Monday against West Ham United, a win for the Gunners will give them renewed hope of overhauling their derby rivals.
QPR go into the weekend seven points adrift of safety at the foot of the table, but second-bottom Wigan and third-last Reading are within touching distance.
Swansea City's meeting with fourth-tier Bradford City in the League Cup final on Sunday means neither the Welsh club nor scheduled opponents Liverpool are in league action this weekend.
In other games, Fulham host Stoke City, Norwich City are at home to Everton, Wigan Athletic travel to Reading, West Bromwich Albion await Sunderland and Southampton are on the road to Newcastle United.
