Sir Alex plays down Rooney transfer talk

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has played down rumours linking Wayne Rooney to Paris Saint-Germain.

Rooney was substituted in the second half against West Ham on Wednesday, and is being linked with a move to the French giants.

Ferguson said: “I don’t think there is anything in that at all.

“As far as taking him off the other night it was simple – he wasn’t playing as well as Shinji [Kagawa] was.”

He added: “In so many games Wayne Rooney is better than most players, but on the night Shinji was playing so well, he made two goals.”

The 27-year old, who joined Manchester United for £20m from Everton in 2004, was left out of the starting team for United’s Champions League second leg tie against Real Madrid, which led to the speculation regarding his summer exit from Old Trafford. Also, Rooney has been found playing in a deeper midfield role this season.

However, the Red Devils boss has also refused to comment on whether Rooney was negotiating over a new contract.

“I couldn’t tell you about that,” said Ferguson.