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David Moyes confident Wayne Rooney will not be sold

By on July 5, 2013

Sitting in a Europa suite at Old Trafford in his first ever Manchester United press conference, the Red Devil’s new manager David Moyes insisted Wayne Rooney would not be sold, although he could not “categorically” confirm Wayne will stay at United. The forward’s future in Manchester has been questioned for months, but with Moyes taking over for the retired Sir Alex Ferguson, United’s replacement for the Scot claim’s Rooney wanted a “fresh start” at Old Trafford.

In the first new manager press conference United has held in 26 years Moyes gave a impressive showing, despite being unable to confirm whether one of the club’s main forwards will remained at United in any of his multiple opportunities to do so.

“I can tell you categorically that Wayne Rooney is training fantastically well in the last two days. That’s all I can categorically tell you,” the 50-year-old replied when asked: “Has Wayne categorically said ‘I don’t want to leave.”

The Scot, who used to coach Rooney when the forward was a youngster at Everton 2004, did offer some insight into the issue though, saying: “I have had opportunities to speak [to him], I’ve had a chance to speak to Wayne. The fact of the matter is that Wayne’s not for sale.”

“He’s a Manchester United player, he will remain a Manchester United player. I’ve been fortunate, I’ve known Wayne since he was 16. It is a little bit of déja vu, it’s a similar sort of feeling. I’ve had several meetings with Wayne, he’s training brilliantly well, he’s come back in good shape and I really look forward to working with him.”

Although it was a bit odd to hear anybody but Sir Alex Ferguson discuss Manchester United affairs in a press conference, Moyes did a good job of giving Rooney a morale boost. The manager named Rooney among some of the top Manchester United forwards of all time, including Bobby Carlton and Denis Law. United’s new gaffer also challenged the 27-year-old to chase Bobby Charlton’s record amount of goals scored for United, with the legend having scored 249 goals for the club. At 197 goals scored in United colors, Ronney seems far away from the record, but If Moyes was right and has been some of the good form he has showed for United, a 30-goal season next year could bring him much closer to becoming the Red Devil’s all time top goalscorer.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.