Ferguson dismisses Wayne Rooney rumor

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed speculation that Wayne Rooney will join Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.

Rooney's future has once again become the topic of intense speculation after a leading commentator in France claimed the 27-year-old forward's move to PSG was "a done deal".

It has hardly helped that Rooney has been played out of position by Ferguson recently, and did not look happy at West Ham on Wednesday when he was replaced by Ryan Giggs 19 minutes from time.

Previously, Ferguson has insisted Rooney would still be at Old Trafford next season and he certainly does not expect him to be in France.

"I don't think there is anything in that at all," he said.

Not that Ferguson could shed any light on when proposed talks over a new contract, which are due to open this summer, are likely to begin.

"I couldn't tell you about that," he said.

It is hard to see how the speculation surrounding Rooney's future will cease until a contract extension is actually signed.

Robin van Persie's contribution for United this term, underlined by his nomination for the PFA Player of the Year award, has proved the wisdom of his summer arrival.

In addition, Ferguson has different forward options in Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck, whilst Shinji Kagawa hinted at what he might be able to contribute on a regular basis next season with an outstanding cameo at Upton Park.

And with continuing links to Robert Lewandowski and Radamel Falcao, it is no surprise there should be such wonder about where Rooney fits in.

"As far as taking him off the other night is concerned, it was simple - he wasn't playing as well as Shinji (Kagawa) was," said Ferguson.

"In so many games Wayne Rooney is better than most but we had to get the goal that mattered and on the night Shinji was playing well."

Indeed, though Kagawa could have been preparing for a Champions League semi-final if he had remained with Borussia Dortmund, Ferguson is certain the Japan star will eventually make a big impact at Old Trafford.

"He's doing very well for us now," said Ferguson. "He has fantastic composure on the ball and his decision-making is good.

"He seems to always pick the more sensible pass and for the first goal on Wednesday he had the composure to take the player on in a tight area and roll the ball to Antonio Valencia for a tap-in."

Whether it will be enough to get him a start for Monday night's encounter with Aston Villa remains to be seen.

Former Villa winger Ashley Young definitely will not be involved after he was ruled out for the remainder of the campaign by an ankle injury.

As Young had already been sidelined for a fortnight after sustaining the problem during the Manchester derby, it is perhaps not too much of a surprise.

And Ferguson regards himself as fortunate not to have picked up any more knocks during the bruising midweek draw at Upton Park, when Andy Carroll put himself about like a human battering ram.

"It was like the old days," said Ferguson, who remains convinced Carroll should have been sent off for his first-half challenge on David de Gea.

"It was a red card - there is no dispute.

"Sam has masked it by talking about being robbed but the fact is they should have had 10 men."

Whether Lee Probert would have taken action had he seen the incident properly is not clear.

However, as with Callum McManaman and Sergio Aguero recently, there was never a chance of retrospective action as the incident occurred within an overall passage of play.

"I really don't know where we are with these things," said Ferguson.

"It probably needs a bit of clarity because I have no idea.

"It doesn't bother me after the event. It doesn't affect us anymore.

"I'm just happy that coming out of that war zone, although Nemanja Vidic had got a beautiful bruise on his cheekbone, no-one was seriously injured."