Wayne Rooney: 'I am staying at Manchester United'

Wayne Rooney is going nowhere. For now.

[ FC Yahoo: Why Rooney shouldn’t have turned down Chinese Super League ]

Despite reports that outrageous sums of money awaited him in the Chinese Super League, the 31-year-old Rooney cleared up his immediate future on Thursday by announcing that he will remain at Manchester United.

“Despite the interest which has been shown from other clubs, for which I’m grateful, I want to end recent speculation and say that I am staying at Manchester United,” Rooney said in a statement.

“I hope I will play a full part in helping the team in its fight for success on four fronts.”

“It’s an exciting time at the club and I want to remain a part of it.”

With Rooney not in the United squad for Wednesday’s Europa League victory at Saint-Etienne and the Chinese Super League’s Tuesday transfer deadline approaching, speculation intensified over a possible move away from United. Earlier this week, the Red Devils’ all-time leading scorer was given the green light by the club to pursue a transfer, according to Yahoo UK.

And Chinese clubs were prepared to give Rooney plenty of reasons to join former Premier League stars like Carlos Tevez, Oscar, Ramires and Graziano Pelle in the Far East. Reportedly, Rooney’s $375,000 weekly wages at United would’ve, at the very least, been doubled in China.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s arrival at Old Trafford pushed Rooney to the bench, but there still are opportunities for Rooney to lead the line. He may not be first-choice for Premier League games anymore – or for Sunday’s EFL Cup final against Southampton at Wembley – but Rooney can play an important role for manager Jose Mourinho in the Europa League and FA Cup.