Wayne Rooney clarifies Man Utd situation

England international Wayne Rooney has insisted that he will not be leaving the club before the end of the month.

Recent speculation suggested that the 31-year-old could be headed to the Chinese Super League with a host of clubs prepared to more than double his current £250,000-a-week wages.

Rooney has been largely warming the substitutes' bench in recent month, but minor issues of late have forced him to drop out of the squad altogether.

Agent Paul Stretford had travelled to Beijing earlier in the week to discuss his client's potential transfer, but Rooney has affirmed that he is not departing Old Trafford anytime soon.

"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 Man United. It's an exciting time at the club and I want to remain a part of it," Rooney said in a statement released to PA.

Rooney has just 16 months left on his existing contract, and it is predicted that he will pursue a fresh challenge during the off-season.

The veteran completed his long-awaited achievement earlier last month after he broke Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time scoring record(249) via a stunning free-kick versus Stoke City.