Wayne Rooney: David Moyes denies fallout with striker
- Published
Manchester United manager David Moyes has rejected reports he has fallen out with Chelsea target Wayne Rooney.
A shoulder injury saw the 27-year-old striker train away from the first team last week and miss his club's Community Shield victory over Wigan.
"I didn't fall out with Wayne," Moyes said. "He trained with the reserves by his own request.
"I'm quite enjoying talking about Wayne because so many of you are getting it wrong. He will not be sold."
Rooney is understood to be intent on leaving Old Trafford after nine years at the club following his 2004 switch from Everton, who were then managed by Moyes.
The Premier League champions have insisted Rooney is not for sale, rejecting two offers from Chelsea, with the second bid worth £25m plus add-ons.
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince insisted it was up to Rooney to force his departure if that is what he wanted.
Questioned by reporters about the wisdom of holding onto a supposedly unhappy player, Moyes responded: "Why are you asking me again?
"He's not for sale. There's no more answer to your question."
Speculation has surrounded Rooney since the end of last season, when then-manager Sir Alex Ferguson said he had asked for a transfer.
That request, which sources close to the player insist did not occur, followed a frustrating campaign in which the former Everton forward struggled for form and fitness.
Despite missing the 2-0 win against the Latics on Sunday, Rooney has been named by England manager Roy Hodgson in the squad to play a midweek international friendly against Scotland.
The call-up follows a pre-season programme in which he has only featured in a behind-closed-doors game against Real Betis, external after a previous hamstring injury.
Speaking about the call-up, Moyes insisted it "will be great" for United if Rooney gets some match action.
"I want him to join up with England," he said. "He trained with us yesterday [Saturday] but he's not ready, you'll probably see that on Wednesday.
"He's had no football. He's had 45 minutes against Real Betis in a friendly when he hurt his shoulder.
"Apart from that, since the day he got back for pre-season, he's got no match action.
"He's coming back, he's breaking himself back into the team. It'll be great for Manchester United because hopefully Wayne will get some playing time.
"He wasn't ready for today's game, but he's got a chance of being ready for Wednesday."
United begin the defence of their Premier League crown with an away game at Swansea on Saturday without having made any notable signings.
However, midfielder Ryan Giggs is unperturbed by the lack of transfer activity at the Old Trafford club.
"It has been a slow transfer window. Manchester City did their business early on but, other than that, there has not been a lot of movement so it could be a hectic last two weeks," said the Welshman.
"We will just have to wait and see how it goes but we are quite happy with the players in our dressing room.
"We won the league with those players so we are looking forward to the start of the season.
"If we sign someone - great. If not we will just get on with it."
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