Jose Mourinho on Rumours of Wayne Rooney's Chinese Super League Transfer

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has insisted he does not want captain Wayne Rooney to leave the club amid speculation he's a target for Chinese Super League sides.  

The forward has endured a testing season at Old Trafford, and according to a report from James Ducker of the Daily Telegraph, the Red Devils have been pondering a possible sale this month before the transfer window closes in China.

However, speaking on Tuesday, Mourinho said he has no plans to let the club's all-time record goalscorer depart, per Simon Peach of the Press Association:

Mourinho continued, noting that he wasn't aware of any interest from Chinese clubs, per Ian Herbert of The Independent. "You'll have to ask him," said the Portuguese. "You'll have to ask him."

Ducker suggested a summer departure is more likely for the United skipper, although he noted "Chinese suitors are working hard to make a deal happen" as soon as possible.

Rooney hasn't featured for United since February 1, when he was introduced as a second-half substitute in the 0-0 draw in the Premier League against Hull City. The 31-year-old has been suffering with a leg injury and has sat out the last four matches. He has also been left out of the travelling party for the trip to AS Saint-Etienne in the UEFA Europa League on Wednesday, per BBC Sport.

With Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba joining the club in the summer window, the competition in the forward and midfield positions is fierce at Old Trafford. Subsequently he's only made eight Premier League starts.

Mourinho's desire to keep Rooney around is natural. At times this season he has shown glimpses of real quality, and the forward has evolved into a fine captain. There's no doubt the influence the 31-year-old has at the club extends beyond his playing talent.

After all, Rooney became United's all-time record goalscorer earlier this season, surpassing the great Sir Bobby Charlton's mark of 249. Having someone so steeped in the Red Devils' history around the club can only be inspiring to others.

However, if there is a big-money offer on the table, there will be temptation on United's part to cash in. 

There will come a point when the contributions made by Rooney to the team are not offset by what he brings off the field; some would say that point has already been reached, especially with United flourishing in attack at times this season without the skipper in the starting XI.

United, as such, could have a big decision to make. And while Rooney will surely want to stick around at Old Trafford for as long as possible, he'll want to play regular football, too. After 13 years with the Red Devils, a new challenge may be exactly what's needed to galvanise him in the twilight of his playing days.