Rooney won't sign for Manchester City as United will tempt him to stay, claims Mancini

By Sportsmail Reporter
Updated: 13:02 EDT, 20 October 2010

Roberto Mancini has today revealed his admiration for Wayne Rooney - but insists the star will end up staying at Manchester United.

The Manchester City boss is a huge fan of the England international and has been tipped to land the striker in January.

Crock: Wayne Rooney leaves Bridgewater Hospital on Wednesday after injuring his ankle

But Mancini has claimed that Rooney will perform a U-turn to remain at Old Trafford. He said: 'I think he'll stay at United. There has been no contact from us.'

Asked again if there had been contact between with the player, he said: 'No. Never.'

Rooney was today pictured wearing a protective boot leaving Bridgewater Hospital in Manchester.

He injured his ankle during training ahead of the Champions league clash with Bursaspor at Old Trafford. United are yet to confirm the extent of his injury. It is not the same ankle he damaged against Bayern Munich last season.

Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed on Tuesday that Rooney has told him that he will not sign a new contract at Old Trafford.

City are among the contenders to sign him, with Chelsea and Real Madrid also interested.

Mancini echoed the comments of Real boss Jose Mourinho, who said on Tuesday night he expected the player to stay where he is.

'Rooney is a great player but I think he'll stay at United,' said Mancini. 'He's a good player, he's an important player for United.'

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Pressed on whether he would be keen to sign the striker, Mancini added: 'He is a United player. It's not correct to speak about that situation. I have respect for him, for Ferguson, for United. I want to speak only about my players.

'It's not my problem. I'm City manager. I have a lot of problems with my players. It's important for me to focus on tomorrow's game.

'He is a strong player like Fernando Torres, like Lionel Messi, like Carlos Tevez, like Mario Balotelli. This is my opinion.'

Ferguson revealed had told United in August he was unwilling to sign a new contract.

Rooney's current deal runs out in the summer of 2012, so United will likely look to sell the player as soon as possible before his value starts to greatly decline with the prospect of a free transfer looming.

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Should he make the move to Eastlands, he would be following in the footsteps of Tevez, who moved across the city last summer amid great acrimony and has shone for Mancini's side.

Mancini was speaking ahead of City's match with Lech Poznan in the Europa League at Eastlands on Thursday night.

Despite his reluctance to discuss Rooney, the Italian has indicated that he could make changes in the summer.

The City boss added: 'There are a lot of players in the world, and what is important for us is to think of our players and our season.

'In the summer if there is a player who could change something for us, we could talk about this. Not January, I don't think. Manchester City are developing every month, every year. But every day we hear we are buying a new player and that is not good.

'It is correct that the owners have big ambitions, but everyone who works here has big ambitions for the future. At this moment we must think about Poznan and the next league game against Arsenal.'