It's up to Wayne
Mourinho refuses to guarantee Rooney will stay at United until end of season amid China links
Jose Mourinho cannot guarantee that Wayne Rooney will end the season at Manchester United, amid reports the forward is ready to head to the Chinese Super League.
Rooney, the club's record goalscorer, continues to be linked with an Old Trafford exit and, according to a number of national newspapers, could move to the Far East before the Chinese transfer window shuts next week.
Three weeks ago, Mourinho said there was no chance his skipper would leave before the season is out, but the United boss did not make the same guarantees when asked about the forward's future, with a reported £52 million (S$91.8m) deal on the table for Rooney.
"You'll have to ask him," the United boss said.
"Of course I can't guarantee (he will be here). I can't guarantee that I'm here next week, how can I guarantee that a player is here next season?
"What I can guarantee is that if Wayne one day leaves the club, it is not because I want him to leave the club. That's the only thing I can guarantee.
"I would never push - or try to push - a legend of this club to another destiny.
"So you have to ask him if he sees himself staying in the club for the rest of his career or if he sees himself moving.
"It is not a question for me because I am happy to have him."
Pushed on whether it was possible Rooney could leave in the next week, Mourinho retorted: "You have to ask him, not me.
What I can guarantee is that if Wayne one day leaves the club, it is not because I want him to leave the club. That’s the only thing I can guarantee.Jose Mourinho on Wayne Rooney
"I was very open with you in the answer. I don't want him to leave."
Rooney's deal at Old Trafford runs until next summer, with United holding the option to extend it by a further year.
Whether he sees out the season - never mind his deal - remains to be seen, as does the United captain's availability for Sunday's League Cup final against Southampton.
INJURY
Rooney returned to light training on the eve of this morning's (Singapore time) Europa League clash with St Etienne, but the hamstring complaint could yet scupper his chances of featuring at Wembley.
"I don't know," Mourinho said ahead of the St Etienne game. "It was the first time he trained and he didn't even train 100 per cent with the group.
"He has no chance for tomorrow. He's not here, he stayed back training and let's see for the weekend."
Rooney is no longer one of the first names on United's team sheet, so a return to fitness would by no means guarantee a place in the side.
"When you don't have a player, you have others," Mourinho said.
"And the others they work, they work hard. The team are in a good moment." - PA SPORT
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