Former Manchester United coach Mike Phelan confident of Rooney stay

Former Manchester United coach Mike Phelan is confident about Wayne Rooney staying at Old Trafford beyond this transfer window despite strong interest from Chelsea.

The England international has been widely reported to be unsettled at the club despite new manager David Moyes rubbishing all claims to that effect. Jose Mourinho has been keen on signing the United number 10 throughout this summer but is likely to drop his interest after having Chelsea's second bid turned down.


Phelan, who was assistant manager at the club during Sir Alex Ferguson's managerial reign, insisted that he doesn't see any reason why Manchester United would sell Rooney during an inetrview to Sky Sports' Soccer Extra programme.


"Manchester United seem to be playing the long game," he said. "They might as well wait now. Who will they replace Wayne Rooney with? That's the question.


"The ones they had on the radar they don't seem to be able to nail down yet, so I think Wayne Rooney will continue to be a Manchester United player for the not-so-foreseeable future.


"What will happen during the season and going into the next transfer window nobody knows."