Wayne Rooney is now 'in a good place' following interest from Chelsea, says Manchester United manager David Moyes

The striker appeared keen on a move to Stamford Bridge but was denied a switch away

Wayne Rooney is delighted with his own form but wouldn't reveal if he is happy as a United player (Getty Images)

Manchester United manager David Moyes believes striker Wayne Rooney is “in a good place” after a tumultuous summer.

Barely a month ago it appeared the England international still wanted out of Old Trafford having become disillusioned with his role in the side.

However, two goals and the influential role in the 4-2 Champions League victory over Bayer Leverkusen suggest the 27-year-old has turned a corner after becoming only the fourth person to score 200 times for the Red Devils.

"You'll talk about his goals but his pass for Antonio's goal as well and he could've have it 2-0 after rounding the goalkeeper and they come up the pitch and make it 1-1. I thought he played really well," said Moyes.

"I think he looks like he is moving as well as he has done. He is in a good place himself at the moment and obviously any centre-forward who is scoring goals feels good about himself."

When Moyes arrived as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor in the summer one of the first things he told Rooney was that he could write his place in the club's history.

After his performance against Leverkusen he feels he is well on the way to achieving that.

"I said he has a real chance to be one of the all-time leading goalscorers at this club and if he keeps playing like he did he will get there. He was very, very good," added the Scot.

"It was something which we made him aware of (during the speculation about his future).

"More importantly I wanted to get him back in a really good condition and mentally ready correct when he was ready to play.

"Wayne was great. I'm not a Manchester United historian but I think there are only four people to do it (score 200 goals)."

The other three are Sir Bobby Charlton (249), Denis Law (237) and Jack Rowley (211).

Rooney kicked things off with the opening goal in the first half and when Simon Rolfes scored a deflected second just after the break it took the England international just five minutes to restore United's lead, latching on to goalkeeper David de Gea's long kick to slot home at the near post.

Robin van Persie hooked home a cross from Antonio Valencia, who added the fourth before Omer Toprak scored a late consolation.

Leverkusen boss and former Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia felt his side struggled to hang on to the ball and make use of it when they had it.

"We lost to a better team. United were better in possession," he said.

"I think we have learned a lot from this game. Overall the possession issue was crucial and that was a big difference.

"I think we were unlucky. Perhaps we paid them too much respect and we didn't press forward as much as we could've done."

PA