Gary Neville: No way Manchester United will sell Wayne Rooney to Chelsea

Wayne Rooney looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on August 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Getty Images)

Gary Neville believes that Wayne Rooney will stay at Manchester United, after he put in a top-notch performance against suitors Chelsea last night, report Sky Sports.

It’s no secret that Jose Mourinho wants Rooney to lead his Chelsea attack and United have turned down two Chelsea bids for the striker. Neville also said that Rooney was impressive throughout the game against Chelsea and showed manager David Moyes that he shouldn’t be sold.

“A couple of weeks ago I said there was no way Manchester United would sell Wayne Rooney to Chelsea. It would improve them immensely and it would weaken Manchester United.

“He’s a player that’s important to them and we saw tonight the fans gave him a great reception. We saw from Wayne Rooney one hell of a performance for his first 90 minutes of the season.

“It was the way he put the effort in tonight. There was once when he ran back to the touchline with Ramires and had the whole crowd up on their feet.

“He didn’t give the magic moment, the goal that would have crowned it off. There was a point in the first half when he could have passed to Robin van Persie that would have been ideal. Maybe in a couple of weeks he’ll get a little bit sharper and a little bit more game-wise.

“But for a first 90 minutes after being out for such a long time, in a big game under big pressure and with everybody looking at him, that was a pretty good night for him and I think Manchester United will keep him.”

Mourinho had earlier indicated that he would launch another bid for the England international after the clash between the clubs. And he has given Rooney a 48-hour ultimatum to decide if he wants a move away from Old Trafford to Stamford Bridge.

Neville added that selling Rooney to a title rival would make United weak.

“Wayne Rooney hasn’t handed in a transfer request, he hasn’t refused to play and in fact tonight has done everything but that. He’s actually put in an incredible shift. All you can be is professional and the fact of the matter is that he respects the club’s wishes.

“People come and try and pick up your players all the time, so you’ve got to stand there and be strong. When you say that you’re not going to sell, you’ve got to mean that you’re not going to sell or else you lose all your credibility and substance. That’s what Manchester United are all about.

“I don’t think they’re going to sell Wayne Rooney in this next week because it will make them look weak – and they’re not weak.”