Stoke chief shoots down rumours of Potters’ bid for Rooney

THERE have been ‘no conversations whatsoever’ about United captain Wayne Rooney moving to Stoke City, according to the club’s chief executive Tony Scholes

United’s record goalscorer has been heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford after losing his place as an undisputed starter under Jose Mourinho .

Rooney vowed he would never play for another Premier League team, other than Everton, but close friend Phil Bardsley is on Stoke’s books and a short commute to Staffordshire would keep him in the north west.

But Scholes has all but ruled out a move for the 31-year-old who ironically became United’s all-time top scorer with a lastminute free-kick at Stoke in January.

“What I can’t do is shed any light on where the rumours have come from,” he told the Stoke Sentinel.

“That happens at this time of year.

“We have some speculation, some of it is based upon some truth, no smoke without fire, but other times you get wild speculation, and the Wayne Rooney one falls into the latter category.

“Wayne Rooney has been one of the best players of his generation. He has been, and still is, a great football player.

“But there have been no conversations whatsoever about Wayne Rooney coming to Stoke.”

Rooney scored eight goals in 39 appearances last season as United won the Europa League, EFL Cup and Community Shield.