Rooney ‘committed’, but Jose leaves door open for China exit

Daniel Roberts
Wayne Rooney: Not leaving this season

Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer Wayne Rooney has affirmed he is committed to the club, although manager Jose Mourinho has hinted at his possible exit.

The 31-year-old has been linked with a big-money move to the Chinese Super League, but insists he is ready to see out the remainder of his contract at Old Trafford.

Rooney became the club’s leader goalscorer on Saturday, scoring an exquisite equalising free-kick late on in United’s game against Stoke to reach 250 goals, surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton’s record.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the forward said he was very happy at the club, but admitted things could change rapidly.

“I’m committed,” said Rooney. “I have been at the club for a long time.

“Football is a strange game. Anything can happen and things change very quickly but I am happy at Manchester United.

“Of course, as I have said before, I want to play more games.

“I am in a happy place, a good moment personally, so I think I have a year, with an option year to go. We will see what happens and what happens after that.”

Rooney’s commitment will be a plus for manager Jose Mourinho, who believes that there is still more to come from his skipper. However, he insists that it’s Rooney’s decision whether he wants to leave or not.

“I think he still has more to give us, but you reach a certain level in his career when it is up to him,” the former Chelsea manager told several national newspapers.

“Could anyone be critical with Zlatan (Ibrahimovic) last summer if he decided to go to China or the US? Could anyone be critical with one guy with such an amazing career? No, and I think with Wayne it is the same. He owns his life, he owns his career. It’s him, his family and his decision.

“I don’t like to be critical of players who decide to go to China. It’s their life, it’s their organisation of their life, their organisation of their career. The money is huge, the experience can also be very interesting.

“I know some of my colleagues think they are more important than they are and think they can interfere in the lives of other people, but I’m not that sort of guy.

“But in Wayne’s case, I have no idea. He never mentioned anything to me.

“The future belongs to him and what he wants from his career, the way he wants to end it and enjoy this last part of his career belongs to him.”