Manchester United deny Wayne Rooney transfer rumours

Manchester United and Wayne Rooney's representatives have released a joint statement denying rumours that the club are prepared to sell the striker in the summer.

The Independent claim in their Saturday edition that a breakdown in the relationship between Rooney and manager Sir Alex Ferguson will lead to the England forward being sold.

The 26-year-old was recently fined and left out of United's New Year's Eve defeat to Blackburn Rovers after details emerged that he appeared sluggish in training following a night out on Boxing Day.

"We have not seen the detail [of the story] but can assure all United fans that the manager and the club are committed to Wayne Rooney and Wayne is committed to the manager and the club," read the statement.

"The player and the manager have always had, and retain, the utmost respect for each other and look forward to working together in the coming seasons."

Rooney himself tweeted: "The independent are talking absolute rubbish my future is with Manchester United and the club and I are totally committed with each other.

"The manager and I have no issues with each other and anyone who says different don't know what they're talking about."

Rooney handed in a transfer request at the start of last season before signing a new deal at Old Trafford.