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Edwin van der Sar stresses importance of Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney
MANCHESTER UNITED striker Wayne Rooney has been urged to stay at Old Trafford next season by Edwin van der Sar.
Rooney's future has been the subject of unrelenting speculation ever since he handed in a transfer request at the end of last season- his second in the space of three years.
French giants PSG have been courting the £30m rated Rooney, and he has been told he can name his price as far as personal term goes.
Though Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger spoke openly about Rooney as a transfer target, Van der Sar feels Rooney should commit himself to the United cause.
"It was maybe a lesser season and he didn't play the last couple of games but he's really important for United," Van der Sar told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme.
"English players tend to stay in England to play their football and rightly so because you have big clubs, the tradition and the stadiums are always full.
"With the change of manager and backroom staff it could be a big change for Manchester United but I don't think you'll find a better atmosphere at many other clubs."
Rooney, who was overshadowed by Robin van Persie's goalscoring exploits, currently has two years left to run on a £250,000-a-week contract.