Chelsea’s Mourinho doubts Man United will sell Rooney despite Mata deal

Jose Mourinho doubts that Manchester United will sell Wayne Rooney to Chelsea in the summer, despite Juan Mata’s move in the opposite direction.

United confirmed that they had agreed a club-record fee to sign Mata on Friday night, with the Spain international set to undergo a medical and agree personal terms with the defending Premier League champions.

I don’t think so. But I don’t speak about Rooney because he is a Manchester United player

Jose Mourinho

Mourinho openly courted England international Rooney during the summer transfer window but United rejected two bids for the 28-year-old forward, who has scored nine Premier League goals this term.

Mata’s sale has inevitably led to speculation that the Red Devils could be willing to allow Rooney to join Mourinho’s side at the end of the season.

However, when asked if the Mata sale could soften United’s stance, Mourinho replied: “I don’t think so. But I don’t speak about Rooney because he is a Manchester United player. But I don’t think so.”

On the subject of English players, Mourinho revealed that the departures of Kevin de Bruyne and Mata, as well as Ryan Bertand’s loan move to Aston Villa, would lead to the promotion of two players from Chelsea’s academy.

“The best way to try [to add more English players to the squad] is the academy,” Mourinho said.

“So in this moment, Ryan Bertrand is on loan, Juan is out, Kevin is out. Let’s see what happens. I want to bring another two.

“I want to work with a squad of 22 players. So these two, academy players. We’ll open the door for them because as you know the English market is different.”