Manchester United play tough with Rooney over his prospective transfer

Posted Thursday, July 04, 2013 by theguardian.com

• Rooney must make a formal transfer request if he is to leave
• Cristiano Ronaldo pledges immediate future to Real Madrid

Wayne Rooney will have to make a formal transfer request if he wants to leave Manchester United as the club continue to insist the striker is not for sale.

It is unclear whether the player and David Moyes were able to sit down on Wednesday to discuss his future, but United are relaxed about the issue and in no rush to resolve it. The new manager has no wish to sell Rooney, and the 27-year-old has two years remaining on his contract.

Rooney's position is that, having aired his grievances to Moyes around a month ago, he now wants to hear how the Scot views his prospective role in the side. Last season Sir Alex Ferguson selected Rooney out of position, dropped him for key games, and questioned his fitness. The forward may also want Moyes to publicly confirm that he did not make a formal transfer request towards the end of last season, as Ferguson has claimed.

Rooney's former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, admits he misses life at Manchester United but has ruled out an imminent return to the club he left for Real Madrid in 2009. Although the Portuguese forward, who also has two years remaining on his contract, has been linked with a move to United, and the English champions would be keen to re-sign him, Ronaldo says he is happy in Spain.

"I miss English football," he said. "For me it was [some] of the best years in my career when I was there in Manchester United. Everyone knows that it is a club that is still in my heart and I really, really miss. But now my life is in Spain. I am enjoying playing there, too."

The 28-year-old did not, however, rule out a move back to United. "Part of my life is there, but in the future we never know. I am really, really happy in the Spanish league."

Ronaldo has so far refused to discuss new terms with Real but it would require United to offer £60m for the Spanish club to consider selling a player who has scored 146 goals in 135 appearances for them.

United will not find it easy to sign Leighton Baines after an initial £12m bid was rejected, according to Everton's new manager, Roberto Martínez.

"I think Leighton is more than a player, he is an icon," Martínez said. "He represents a lot about our football club and I am really, really excited about Leighton. This is a big season for him and for us as a club. When you are the left-back of this football club, and the level that he has been reaching over the last few years consistently, it shows me that he is the best left-back in the country."

I can't wait to start working with him."

He continued: "Leighton is a phenomenal performer and has become a very consistent player for Everton. A lot of people get upset when other clubs show interest in their players but I feel it is compliment. Leighton is vital for our future and what we are going to achieve at the club."

Moyes's introduction as the new United manager will take place on Friday.