Michael Carrick insists the Manchester United players remain supportive of Wayne Rooney.
The England international supposedly told Sir Alex Ferguson he wanted to leave Old Trafford towards the end of last season, as he felt he was no longer of major importance to the first team. This is thought to have been a result of him being left out of the side to face Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, a match the Reds lost.
David Moyes, who managed the 27-year-old at Everton, has since been appointed as United boss, but it is largely believed the striker remains intent on leaving the champions. Jose Mourinho has made no secret of his desire to sign Rooney, and although he has already failed with two offers for his signature, a third is reportedly being lined up.
Whilst the player may well fancy a switch to Stamford Bridge, Moyes continues to insist he is not for sale. And following Rooney’s cameo role in the 4-1 opening day win at Swansea City, when he came off the bench to create two goals, Carrick has revealed that despite all the uncertainty, he and his team-mates will continue to support the Liverpudlian.
“Wayne Rooney is a big United player,” said the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder. “He’s one of us and we all stick together. When we’re on the pitch we fight for each other. He’s part of that. I thought he came on and looked good. He’s a real threat. He’s given this club an awful lot, so the fans support him and we support him.”
Since joining United in the summer of 2004, Rooney has helped them win five Premier League titles, two League Cups and the UEFA Champions League. He is currently 52 goals behind Sir Bobby Charlton in the club’s all-time goalscorer charts, which makes his decision to leave all the more baffling considering what he could achieve should he stay.
