Wayne Rooney is staying at Manchester United: Red Devils’ skipper confirms he has rejected mega-money offers from Chinese clubs and will not be leaving Old Trafford
Record goalscorer had been offered wages of £1million a week to move to the Chinese Super League
WAYNE ROONEY will be staying at Manchester United, he has confirmed in a statement.
The Old Trafford skipper said: "Despite the interest which has been shown from other clubs, for which I'm grateful, I want to end recent speculation and say that I am staying at Manchester United.
"I hope I will play a full part in helping the team in its fight for success on four fronts.
"It's an exciting time at the club and I want to remain a part of it."
Rooney's long-time agent Paul Stretford had been in China attempting to thrash out a deal with cash-rich clubs for his man.
They were willing to pay England's record goalscorer an eye-watering £1m a week as part of a record-breaking £52m-a-year deal.
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But now Rooney will be staying put, despite being pushed to the fringes of the starting XI by boss Jose Mourinho.
Rooney, who moved to United in 2004 as an 18-year-old, could have been in line for a £15m payout from United had he moved this summer.
And there was a possibility he could have gone by Tuesday, given the CSL transfer window is open until then.
But now it appears the 31-year-old has committed his future to United.
Old Trafford legends Roy Keane and Paul Scholes had urged Rooney to seriously considering following the money and moving to the Far East.
Former captain Keane said his ex-team-mate's proposed move was "madness" and that he should seek a future in Europe's top five leagues.
Scholes insisted that a move to Major League Soccer in the United States was preferable to China.
He said: "I don't see China being the right place for him.
"I think America will be better for him. Do what Steven Gerrard did. Do what David Beckham did."
Mourinho had stoked the flames by admitting he was powerless to prevent Rooney's departure.
He said: "I cannot guarantee that I'm here next week, how can I guarantee that a player is here next season?
"What can I can guarantee is that if one day Wayne leaves the club it is not because I want him to leave the club.
"I would never push a legend of this club to another destiny."