Wayne Rooney has been told by Manchester United that he will not be sold this summer, although it remains to be seen whether David Moyes wants to keep the player with whom he had a difficult relationship at Everton.

The England striker went to see Sir Alex Ferguson, United’s outgoing manager, about a fortnight ago when he asked to leave the club for the second time in less than three years only to be told by the Scot that he would not be allowed to transfer.

A spokesman for United told The Times last night: “Wayne Rooney is not for sale.”

The striker will enter the final two years of his existing £250,000 a week contract this summer and is known to have become increasingly