ROO: LET ME STAY
But you have to play me, Jose
WAYNE ROONEY is desperate to stay at Manchester United but fears he may have to quit Old Trafford this summer to get regular first-team football.
The United and England legend admits not being a regular starter under Jose Mourinho has been difficult but says that “I haven’t thrown my toys out of the pram”. He says his ideal scenario is to see out the year left on his contract and possibly take up the option of another after that.
But Rooney, right, wants to play more, having started just 22 of the 59 games United have played this season. Asked about his future ahead of tonight’s
Europa League semi-final second leg against Celta Vigo, Rooney, 31, said: “My sole focus is on trying to help us win this competition.
“It’s a massive opportunity for us to reach and win a European final.
“Would I like to stay? I have been at this club for 13 years but I want to play football. Do I want to do it here? Of course.
“I think football changes. You have different challenges in your career.
“This season I haven’t played as much as I would have liked but I’ve tried to help the team on and off the pitch.
“I haven’t thrown my toys out of the pram but I’m a footballer and I want to play football.
“The more I play, the better I feel I can help the team.
“Sometimes that’s football. I have had to keep working and just try to take my chance. That’s what I have done. When called upon, I’ll try my best to help the team.”
Rooney is likely to be on the bench tonight in what could be his last appearance in a European game at Old Trafford – 13 years after his stunning debut hat-trick in a Champions League game against Fenerbahce.
If he does leave in the summer, he wants to have helped United back into Europe’s top club competition by winning the Europa League.
“It’s important to be back in the Champions League,” said Rooney. “This club belong there.”
He added: “This club will be successful under Jose Mourinho, having seen the way he works.
“If we can win the Europa League, that will be three trophies in his first season.
“We’re not far off challenging for the Premier League and I hope next season we’ll be in the Champions League.”