Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is not planning to hand in a transfer request over the next course of days in any bid to force a move to Stamford Bridge.
Roooney has been the subject of transfer speculations all summer since former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson claim he had asked for a move away from the Premier League champions.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho gave the England international 48 hours to decide on his future after Monday’s uneventful draw.
While it is understood a number of issues around Rooney’s role at Old Trafford remain unresolved, the 27-year-old has no intention of disrespecting the club, its fans or manager David Moyes by publicly asking to leave.
Chelsea have had two bids turned down for Rooney this summer, but he has not allowed uncertainties beclouding his future affect his performances for the club or country and has now been reintegrated back into the United squad, starting with Monday night stalemate against Chelsea.
England manager Roy Hodgson on Tuesday praised the striker for keeping calm in the midst of much speculation, claims and for his professionalism as well.
“He has been under a lot of scrutiny since he has been 17 years of age,” Hodgson, who has named the striker in his squad for the World Cup qualifier against Moldova and Ukraine on September 6 and 10 respectively, said.
“If anyone is able to deal with the scrutiny then it’s Wayne Rooney. I’m sure David Moyes had no worries or concerns that Wayne would not do anything other than his best for Manchester United- and that’s what he did yesterday (Monday, against Chelsea).
“That’s the nature of Wayne as a man and the nature of him as a player.”
Mourinho, however, is not ready to linger far too long on the ploy to land the striker. With the transfer window closing by midnight of September 2, he would draw upon other plans to boost his attack.
“One way or another, he has to say ‘I want to leave’ or ‘I want to stay’,” Mourinho said after Monday’s match.
“The person that started the story has to finish the story. For the good of everyone, it is time to finish the story.”
Moyes is tired of repeating the club stance that Rooney is not for sale and has never questioned the player’s commitment to United.
“I think Wayne has a positive mind at the moment, I don’t think he needs to change,” Moyes said on Monday.
“I think his performance said enough. I think his actions showed what what he thought.”
Rooney, who joined United from Everton in August 2004 for £27m, has threatened to quit Old Trafford in the past, only to change his mind.
In October 2010, he opted out of contract talks with the club, only to return to put pen to papers for a new five-year deal 48 hours later and United went on to win the title that season.
