Manchester United Deny Independent Story on Wayne Rooney Future

Manchester United and Wayne Rooney have released a joint statement denying reports in Saturday's The Independent that allegedly suggests the star striker could be allowed to leave Old Trafford.

Manchester United took the unusual step of denying the aforementioned report in The Independent, the front page of which was initially released on Twitter by Nick Sutton, the Editor of BBC Radio 4's The World at One, The World This Weekend, and What the Papers Say.

The front-page depicts the Manchester United striker with the headline 'Exlcusive: Ferguson set to let Rooney go'.

The Manchester United striker wrote on his personal Twitter page: "The independent are talking absolute rubbish my future is with Manchester United and the club and I are totally committed to each other.

"The manager and I have no issues and anyone who says different don't know what they are talking about."

A statement on Manchester United's official website read: "Manchester United and Wayne Rooney have been made aware of the theme of an article in tomorrow's Independent newspaper.

"We have not seen the detail but can assure all United fans that the Manager and the Club are committed to Wayne Rooney and Wayne is committed to the Manager and the Club.

"The player and the Manager have always had and retain, the utmost respect for each other and look forward to working together in the coming seasons.

"Any suggestion that Manchester United and Wayne Rooney are to part company is complete nonsense."

The Manchester United striker was omitted from the squad that lost 3-2 to Blackburn at Old Trafford, but was recalled to the side that was defeated by Newcastle just three days later, although he was substituted after just 75 minutes.

The Daily Mirror are also running an exclusive story on the controversial Manchester United striker on Saturday. The tabloid is running a series of pictures which document the striker's night out on Boxing Day, with his wife Coleen and teammates Jonny Evans and Darron Gibson. The 26-year-old's evening not only cost him a place in Ferguson's squad for their game against Rovers, but also a rumoured week's wages, worth a reputed £200,000.