Even with a chance to earn an absurd amount of money in China, Wayne Rooney insists he is happy with Manchester United. (Photo : Getty Images Sport)
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho announced that while he hopes Wayne Rooney would stay with the team next season, he would not prevent their record goalscorer a chance to avail of the financial windfall in the Chinese Super League.
Rooney's contract will expire in 2019, but Chinese clubs are already luring him to become the highest paid player in world football.
The Portuguese coach said that while Rooney has more to give Manchester United, there's a certain level in a player's career when no one should interfere with his decision and just let him decide for himself.
Mourinho also hit Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp for thinking that he "can interfere in the lives of other people" when he heavily criticized Oscar for moving the Chinese Super League on £400,000 a week.
However, he noted that he has no idea what's going on with Rooney as the latter never mentioned the possible move to him. He admitted that the money is huge and the experience can also be interesting.
Nonetheless, Rooney played down talks of moving to China and insisted that he is in a "happy place" and remains committed to Manchester United despite admitting that he wants more playing time.
He started only 17 of the club's 34 games this season and is playing second fiddle to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has taken the role of being the club's new talisman.
Rooney also insists that Mourinho is the right manager for the club and expects the club to be very successful in the next few years.
The 31-year-old Rooney became the club's all-time record goal scorer with 250 after a free kick against Stoke City on Saturday.
Rooney joined United in Aug. 2004 from Everton in a £27 million deal. He has helped United win five Premier League titles, a Champions League and both domestic cups.
