Manchester United Transfer News: Red Devils Would Be Wise to Keep Wayne Rooney

The longest running transfer saga of the summer could be set for an anticlimactic conclusion with Manchester United manager David Moyes still refusing to sell Wayne Rooney.

The striker, who is currently on international duty with England, has been keen to leave Old Trafford since the end of last season but has so far failed to engineer a move away.

Moyes has insisted that Rooney would not be sold since he arrived in Manchester and his latest words appear as determined as ever.

When questioned over reports that Rooney still wants to leave and has been training with the reserve team, the former Everton boss told Sky Sports:

"

We don't want to sell Wayne.

I have not fallen out with Wayne and the reason he trained with the reserves was because he wanted to because he wasn't allowed any contact.

"

Moyes' quotes go some way to substantiating a report from Daniel Taylor of The Guardian claiming that United's board, including owners the Glazer family, have agreed that Rooney will not be sold no matter how much is offered for him.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has made no secret of his desire to add Rooney to his squad, with the London side already having had two bids rejected.

However, Taylor states the following:

"

Wayne Rooney will not be sold to no matter how much money is offered or whatever the potential risks of keeping an unhappy player. [...]

Their thinking is also driven by a recognition that Rooney belongs to a rare group of match-winning players and that, at 27, selling him to Chelsea would mean passing on a forward capable of scoring 20 to 30 goals a season for the next five years.

"

During his time at Everton, Moyes had to face players wanting to leave on a regular basis.

He was forced into allowing Rooney to leave for Old Trafford in 2004 and also dealt with Joleon Lescott's move to Manchester City and Mikel Arteta's departure for Arsenal.

He will be well aware of the dangers of keeping an unhappy player, with concerns over future performances, morale among the rest of the squad and the reaction of the fans sure to be considered.

But, as the close of the transfer window gets ever closer, it appears that Moyes and United are willing to risk these issues and retain Rooney's services long term.

Although some of the United faithful will argue that they should cash in on a player who doesn't want to play for the club, the decision to reject Chelsea's overtures is the right one for a few reasons.

Despite a campaign of mixed form, Rooney still managed to score 12 league goals in 27 appearances last season. And, with 10 assists to his name, he laid-on the fourth-most goals of any player in the division.

At 27 he should be coming into the most productive years of his career, something United would be passing up if they were to let him leave for Stamford Bridge.

By selling Rooney to Chelsea, not only would they be significantly strengthening one of their title rivals, but they'd also be losing a player still capable of having a huge impact on Moyes' debut season.

His head might not be in the right place now, but Rooney is a footballer who loves to play the game and have the ball at his feet. If he doesn't get his move, he will have no option but to give his all for United, particularly in the buildup to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Robin van Persie looks set to retain his spot as United's main striker, but, after Moyes' failure to land Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas, Rooney's versatility will be vital for the Red Devils. He can play behind RvP or up front alongside him, or out wide and further back in midfield if necessary. 

After a largely disappointing preseason, Moyes must assert his authority at Old Trafford both on and off the pitch and during the opening games of the new season.

Letting a world-class player like Rooney bully his way out of the club would send out the wrong message, not only to the rest of the squad but to Chelsea and Manchester City too.

Things might be a little frosty for a while, but expect keeping Wayne Rooney to have a positive impact on United's battle to retain their Premier League crown.