Man United coach Mourinho has Rooney in mind for next season

Manchester United head coach Jose Mourinho confirmed on Friday that he has English striker Wayne Rooney in his plans for the next football season.

Rooney, the top scorer of Manchester United, has been linked in recent reports to Everton, the club in which he began his career, and several teams in the Chinese Super League, reports Efe.

However, Mourinho, who since his arrival at the club has relegated Rooney to the bench, has made it clear that he wants the 31-year-old striker to continue next season.

"Until the end of season, 100 per cent he is with us. Next season, 100 per cent I'd like him to be with us," said the Portuguese coach on Friday at the press conference prior to Saturday's English Premier League (EPL) duel with Bournemouth.

Three teams of the Chinese Super League have shown interest in the captain of United and the England national squad in the past transfer market -- Beijing Guoan, Jiangsu Suning and Guangzhou Evergrande.

In China, the English veteran would earn a salary of 750,000 pounds sterling (about $920,000) a week to become the highest paid player in the world.

Rooney, who showed his willingness to keep his contract with United until June 2019, has only started in three games since December 17, and has not played since the beginning of the month due to a muscle injury.

--IANS

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