Transfer Centre

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney 'needs more games'

By Kristian Johnson, Reporter | 18 August 2013

Wayne says that he needs more playing time at Manchester United, even though he is still hopeful of a move to Premier League rivals Chelsea.

Wayne Rooney has told Manchester United manager David Moyes that he needs more game time to improve his match sharpness, even though the striker is still trying to engineer a move away from Old Trafford.

Rooney played just 45 minutes during pre-season for United and although he got a further 67 minutes under his belt as England beat Scotland 3-2 at Wembley last week, the 27-year-old has said that he needs more playing time.

Speaking after his side's 4-1 win over Swansea City in the Premier League on Saturday in a match in which Rooney appeared as a second-half substitute, the former Everton striker admitted that he is still some way behind his teammates in terms of match fitness.

"You obviously need that sharpness," Rooney told The Telegraph. "I haven't had that many training sessions with the first team [at United] because they have been away.

"I had a few painkillers for the shoulder injury. I might be lacking that bit of sharpness but hopefully that will come. It was great to have the minutes and now I'm looking forward to hopefully getting a few games."

Rooney refused to answer questions surrounding his future, with rumours mounting that he will complete a move to Chelsea before the close of the transfer window.

Despite the fact that Moyes has said the duo have not fallen out, Rooney made a point to praise England manager Roy Hodgson, but failed to mention his Old Trafford boss.

"I have been working hard on the training ground trying to get myself fit and I was just thankful to get the minutes in against Scotland. That's thanks to the manager (Hodgson)," he said.

Rooney arrived at Manchester United from Everton in the summer of 2004 for a fee of £25m.