Rooney injury reignites transfer talk despite denials

Speculation over the future of Wayne Rooney mounted yesterday as the Manchester United star returned to England almost immediately after arriving in Bangkok for the club's Asian tour, and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho admitted he admires the striker "very, very much".

Mourinho stopped short of saying he hoped to sign the unsettled Manchester United star, but his surprise exit from the United party, just days after new manager David Moyes said he was fitter than ever, has reignited the transfer talk, despite Moyes' denials.

"People are entitled to talk about good players," Moyes insisted yesterday. "I'm sure Jose has been asked about lots of players as well. I'll keep repeating myself: Wayne is a Manchester United player and he'll remain that.

"It's a blow that we've lost him [to injury]. He's been training well and looking good. He felt something in his hamstring - we double-checked it and he has a slight grade one injury. It will probably keep him out for two to three weeks. I don't see any problems with him being fit for the start of the season.

"Unless I was speaking double Dutch I think I've said Wayne Rooney is not for sale."