Rooney insists long-term future lies with United

Wayne Rooney on Tuesday insisted his long-term future is with Manchester United despite intimating earlier this season he was ready to move on unless the club made some major moves in the transfer market.

Speaking to MUTV ahead of his first start for nearly two months in Wednesday’s Champions League encounter with Rangers at Ibrox, Rooney re-asserted his commitment to the club and denied he was angling for a big move down the line.

“I read that I have agreed a new deal so that the club can agree a higher price with a different team somewhere down the line,” the England forward told MUTV.

“It is a load of rubbish. I signed a new deal to stay here for the long-term future with Manchester United.”

In October, Rooney said he wanted a transfer as he felt the club’s lack of recent major transfer activity meant it did not match his ambitions – but he ultimately stepped back and signed a five-year contract.

However, there have been reports that the affair damaged his relationship with teammates and when he returned from injury as a substitute against Wigan on Saturday he received a mixed reception.

Rooney said he understood the fans’ reaction.

“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about the reaction from the fans. I can understand their frustrations with the contract negotiations.

“It happened in the public eye, which made it difficult, and I did make the club aware of my concerns.

“But I always made it aware I wanted to be at this club and I am delighted my future is at United.”

Meanwhile Wednesday, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported that Juventus were interested in a bid for Rooney’s strike partner Dimitar Berbatov, who began the season well but is currently having a drought in front of goal.