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Sir Alex Ferguson blasts Wayne Rooney exit talk
MANCHESTER UNITED striker Wayne Rooney will remain at Old Trafford next season insists his manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Speculation was reaching fever pitch that the 27-year-old could be sold this summer following Rooney's omission from the starting line up for Tuesday's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid.
Rooney came on as a substitute in the second half but was unable to prevent United being knocked out of the competition by Jose Mourinho's side, promoting talk that he could be set for a move away from United.
However, Ferguson was definitive that the England international would remain at the club next season during his press conference ahead of Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final clash with Chelsea.
"He will be here next year, you have my word on that," promised Ferguson.
"There is no issue between myself and Wayne Rooney. To suggest we don't talk is nonsense.
"He understood the reasons completely. Tactically we got it right. We don't always but we did then.
"There are no issues with the player and he will be involved on Sunday."
Rooney could start against the Blues as he looks to regain his place as a first-team regular with the Red Devils, who are still on course for a domestic double.
Ferguson admitted his surprise that the focus was not on Rooney's team-mate Shinji Kagawa, who was also left out against Madrid despite scoring three times during the weekend victory over Norwich City.
"I left out Shinji Kagawa after he scored a hat-trick. I thought I would get more stick for that," said Ferguson.
The Scot was not ready to close the book on Nani's sending off against the Spanish side though, saying: "It is hard to keep your faith when you have things like that."