Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has said that he did try to sign Wayne Rooney when he was in charge at Chelsea. The England international joined the Red Devils in the summer of 2004 from Everton and it was the same summer that the 53-year-old took charge at the West London club for his first spell at Stamford Bridge.
In that transfer window, Mourinho was looking at the option of signing Rooney for the Blues. However, the deal did not take shape as he joined Chelsea's arch-rivals United, who were then managed by their legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ferguson retired from football in May 2013 after helping United win the league title. In his post match conference of his final match at Old Trafford, the Scot revealed that Rooney had asked to leave the club.
David Moyes replaced Ferguson at United in the summer of 2013 and it was the same summer Mourinho returned to Chelsea for the second spell. He revealed that he tried to sign Rooney in that window, but the former Everton striker continued with the Red Devils.
Mourinho, who is now the manager at United is delighted to train Rooney for the Premier League giants.
"This one is for Wayne Rooney and for the fans in that perspective to show love for a player who has been magnificent for our club. But I'm not a friendly match man. I'm waiting for the big ones!" Mourinho told United's official website.
"You know, I follow from the outside but close because the season he joined Manchester United is the season I came to England for the first time, 2004. I've been here already for two different periods and I was close to it. I can say, because everybody knows, I tried to buy him”, said the new Manchester United manager.
"He is a player I always wanted to have in my side. Finally, I have him and I have him in the club he loves, the club where he has spent the best years of his career. And, I think, the best is yet to come from him. I find him full of motivation, full of joy to work every day, and happy to be here as a leader for the young people.
“He's my man too. I can say, at this moment, he is my man. I am really happy. I hope he has a great night and he forgives me when I change him. I am going to change him because we have a match on Sunday!"
