The Manchester United boss has denied any speculation suggesting that the England international will leave the club as he outlines plans to offer him a new deal

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is adamant there are no issues between himself and Wayne Rooney as he signals his intentions to offer the England international a new contract.

Much speculation arose concerning the 27-year-old after he was omitted from the starting XI against Real Madrid, with Ryan Giggs and Danny Welbeck among those preferred in the starting line-up.

Ferguson appeared keen to quell those rumours as he intimated that Rooney was one of his best players and that the former Everton man was approaching his best years.

“There is absolutely no issue about a new contract for Wayne,” he told The Mirror.

“When it is time to renegotiate with Wayne it will be done. We don’t want our best players to leave and Wayne is coming into his mature years.”

The 71-year-old Scot also vehemently denied claims there is a rift between the pair, while he also cited illness and injuries as the main reasons behind his striker’s depleted goal tally this season.

“He got me 32 goals last season and, although he’s had issues with illness and injuries this year, and hasn’t had a long run of games, he’s already got me 14 goals,” he continued.

“For people to suggest that I don’t talk to Wayne on the training ground is absolute b******s. It’s an insult to me and to Wayne.”