Manchester United striker Robin van Persie thinks that “deep down” Wayne Rooney wants to remain with the Premier League champions.
The England international’s Old Trafford future has been up in the air ever since former manager Sir Alex Ferguson claimed in May that he had asked to leave.
Rooney’s situation remains unclear three months on, with new manager David Moyes yet to call on the 27-year-old, who also missed yesterday’s Community Shield win against Wigan.
Chelsea have made two unsuccessful bids for Rooney, who was understood to be “angry and confused” at comments made by Moyes that Van Persie is his number-one attacking option.
But the Dutchman hopes that Rooney can work a way through whatever issues he may have.
He told The Sun: “Everyone wants Wayne to stay and deep down I think he feels the same.
“One of the reasons I joined Manchester United was to play with Wayne.
“I hope he stays. Not only is he a great goalscorer, he does so much work across the pitch. He hates to lose – that’s why you see him one minute pressing for goal, the next minute defending ferociously. He is an asset to any team.
“He will come good again. He is a strong lad.”
While manager Moyes recognised the importance of keeping Van Persie fit to spearhead United’s bid to retain the Premier League title after the Dutch forward’s brace against Wigan he remained adamant that his club did not want to sell Rooney.
The forward, who has been struggling with a shoulder injury, will join up with the England squad for Wednesday’s friendly against Scotland.
“We don’t want to sell Wayne,” Moyes said in a terse response to suggestions that Rooney wanted to join Chelsea and had been forced to train with the reserves.
“I have not fallen out with Wayne and the reason he trained with the reserves was because he wanted to because he wasn’t allowed any contact.”
Moyes remains hopeful of adding to United’s squad after a frustrating summer in the transfer market.
“I hope so, we move on every day and the transfer window gets closer and closer,” he said. “But if we have to start the season with what we’ve got then I’ll be happy.”