By Tom Davis, Goal.com
David Moyes has insisted striker Wayne Rooney is not for sale and will remain a Manchester United player.
"I’m sure it’s a question on your lips and you couldn't wait to get it out, but the fact of the matter is Wayne’s not for sale," Moyes told reporters.
"He's a Manchester United player and will remain a Manchester United player. Let’s not kid ourselves, he’s a terrific player and he won’t be for sale."
The 50-year-old attended his first press conference as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor at Old Trafford and immediately faced questions on Rooney's future at the club.
Despite refusing to state whether the player categorically asked to leave the club, Moyes was adamant that the England international is not for sale and is working well under his management.
"We’ve spoken several times and I’m saying whatever has happened before has gone, we’re working together now," Moyes explained. "I see a little glint in his eye at the moment. He looks happy, he looks as if he’s saying ‘I’m going to knuckle down, I’m going to get myself right’ and I can only say I’ve been impress with how he’s done."
Rooney reportedly asked to be moved while Ferguson was still at the club and was rumored to be linked with potential moves to Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Arsenal. When Moyes was announced as manager, it was speculated that the club was signaling its intent to sell as the pair had a fractious relationship at Everton, Rooney's first club. The striker criticized the manager's man-management skills in his autobiography and Moyes didn't appear to enjoy the fallout from the book.
Still, at Manchester United, it appears as if Moyes is ready to move on and repair their relationship. Moyes is hoping to improve Rooney's form in the buildup to England's World Cup campaign and is focusing on helping him challenge for the privilege of becoming the club's greatest ever goalscorer.
"It's interesting to think that Wayne is only 50 goals behind Sir Bobby Charlton and 40 behind Dennis Law," Moyes said. "We’re looking to see how we can get Wayne Rooney getting those goals which are going to challenge Bobby Charlton and Denis Law’s numbers.
"This country has got a World Cup to hopefully play in, so for everybody’s benefit we’re trying to get him in a condition where he’s getting much more like the Wayne Rooney we all know. I’ve had several meetings with Wayne. He’s training brilliantly well, he’s come back in good shape and I’m really looking forward to working with him."
Related
Before You Go
