Jose Mourinho admits Wayne Rooney could be leaving Manchester United

ByPete Sharland

Updated 21/02/2017 at 18:20 GMT

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho didn't confirm that captain Wayne Rooney would be at the club at the end of the season during a press conference ahead of the game against Saint-Etienne.

Rooney has been missing through injury and despite returning to training he hasn't travelled with the squad to France for the second leg of the Europa League match.

He has been heavily linked with a move to the Chinese Super League, and their transfer window doesn't close until next Tuesday.

Mourinho was asked whether Rooney would still be at the club at the end of the season "You have to ask him. I can't guarantee that, how can I guarantee he will be here next season?

Premier League

Henderson agrees personal terms with Nottingham Forest - reports

15/06/2022 at 17:30

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney and manager Jose Mourinho during training

Image credit: Reuters

"If he one day leaves the club it’s not because I want him to leave. I would never push or try to push a legend out of this club to another destiny, so you have to ask him if he sees himself leaving. I don’t want him to leave."

Mourinho was also asked about his only future, saying "I have two years on my contract. I love working for this club, for me to leave it must be for my board to say that."

The other big point of discussion at his press conference was the exclusion of Shaw from the Europa League squad, and in general this season.

Mourinho said: "He stayed behind in Manchester because I am playing with Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo, Matteo Darmian, and all of them are playing the way I like a full-back to play.

Manchester United's Luke Shaw with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho

Image credit: Reuters

"Luke has to wait for his chance, he has to work better and better, knowing that I give nothing for free.

"When I give something for the players it is expensive for me, it is not cheap. They have to work really hard every day, they have to play well, so he has to wait and in this moment he is behind the others.

"Potentially he has many things that I like, but one thing is potentially and another thing is on the pitch to express all the qualities I like a player to express. He has to keep working like Mkhitaryan did for a long time."

Premier League

Vardy not ruling out England return with Kane and Rashford injured

10/03/2020 at 08:52

Premier League

Paper Round: Dybala not interested in Man Utd, Bayern lead Ramsey chase

15/11/2018 at 23:05

Premier League

Paper Round: Real draw up January shortlist, Roma cast doubt on Ramsey move

12/11/2018 at 08:06