rooney: I’m staying at united

UNITED SKIPPER SHUNS CHINESE SUPER LEAGUE AND VOWS TO FIGHT FOR HIS PLACE AT UNITED

WAYNE Rooney has pledged his future to United, and insists he wants to be part of an ‘exciting’ new era at Old Trafford.

The Reds skipper has put an end to weeks of speculation over a mega-bucks move to the Chinese Super League by revealing he is staying with the Reds, and is desperate to play a ‘full part’ in the club’s fight for success on four fronts this season.

Reports that Rooney’s agent Paul Stretford was in Beijing yesterday heightened speculation the 31-year-old could even leave United before Tuesday’s Chinese Super League transfer deadline.

However, he has now spelt out his desire to stay.

“Despite the interest which has been shown from other clubs, for which I’m grateful, I want to end recent speculation and say that I am staying at Manchester United,” said the club’s leading all-time goalscorer in a statement.

“I hope I will play a full part in helping the team in its fight for success on four fronts.

“It’s an exciting time at the club and I want to remain a part of it.”

Rooney, who still has 18 months left on his contract at Old Trafford, has been unable to secure a regular first-team place this season, even when fit.

And doubts over his future at the club he joined as a teenager rose earlier this week when United boss Jose Mourinho refused to guarantee that Rooney would remain at the club until the end of the season.

“The only thing I can guarantee is that I would never push, or try to push, a legend of this club to another destination,” said Mourinho.

“So you have to ask him if he wants to stay at the club for the rest of his career or if he sees himself moving on.

“I’m happy to have him. I have been very open with you. I don’t want him to leave.”

Rooney, however, is a doubt for Sunday’s EFL Cup final against Southampton as he recovers from injury.