Rooney says he's staying with United

LONDON - Wayne Rooney said on Thursday he is staying with Manchester United amid ongoing speculation he might make a lucrative move to the Chinese Super League.

British media reports said Rooney's agent, Paul Stretford, had been in China speaking to interested clubs, but the United and England captain insisted he was remaining at Old Trafford.

"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," the 31-year-old Rooney said in a statement released to Britain's Press Association.

"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 contract with United runs until mid-2018, with the club holding an option to extend it by a further year.

Speculation over the forward's future has intensified in recent weeks, with Rooney often sidelined by United manager Jose Mourinho.

Chinese clubs said to be interested in Rooney, United's all-time leading scorer, included Guangzhou Evergrande, Beijing Guoan, Jiangsu Suning and Tianjin Quanjian.

British media reported that he could earn up to $1 million a week, which would make him the world's highest paid soccer player, but Rooney's statement has cooled debate over his future ahead of the closure of the CSL transfer window on Tuesday.

Rooney missed this week's Europa League last-32 second leg in Saint-Etienne through injury, but dominated conversation in France.

Mourinho fueled the speculation at Wednesday's pre-match media conference by saying said Rooney's future was in his own hands.

"You'll have to ask him," Mourinho said. "I can't guarantee he will be here. I can't guarantee that I'm here next week, so how can I guarantee that a player is here next season?"

However, the Portuguese boss - previously in charge of United's Premier League rival Chelsea - added: "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."

Rooney has won five Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy since joining as an 18-year-old for $34 million from Everton, in 2004.

Now the immediate soccer issue for Rooney is whether he's fit enough to play in Sunday's League Cup final against Southampton at Wembley.

Questions over his long-term future are bound to remain, however, and it is still possible that he could, at some stage, follow the likes of former United teammate Carlos Tevez, ex-Chelsea midfielder Oscar and striker Odion Ighalo in making a big-money move to the Far East.

England's all-time top scorer, Rooney has won 119 caps and is closing in on goalkeeping great Peter Shilton's national record of 125 appearances.

Rooney has already announced his intention to retire from international play after next year's World Cup.

Agence France - Presse