Committed Rooney ready for fight

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Committed Rooney ready for fight

Wayne Rooney has moved to head off talk of a move to Spain by insisting he is at Manchester United for the long haul.

Rooney became embroiled in one of the sagas of last season when he demanded a transfer, only to sign a new contract a matter of days later. He went on to win his battle for fitness and produced some of the best football of his career as United won their 19th league title.

He appears fully committed to United but Tony Farrell, who used to coach Rooney when the England international was on Everton's books, suggested a move was on the cards.

"Is he going to be at Manchester United for ever? I think he's going to move to Barcelona or Real Madrid, he's going to want to challenge himself," Farrell, who now teaches in America, said.

Rooney, though, has insisted he is committed to the Red Devils, as he said: "I'm not going to leave and will be at United for a long time."

The forward played 45 minutes of United's pre-season win over New England, a game that saw Ashley Young make his debut and Federico Macheda and Michael Owen weigh in with goals.

There is competition for places in attack, which is music to the ears of Rooney.

"There is plenty of competition, which keeps people on their toes," he said. "It is exciting, everyone is going to have to be at the top of their game to get in the team."