David Moyes at Manchester United: Wayne Rooney will not be sold to Chelsea or Arsenal says manager at first press conference

The former Everton manager addresses the media for the first time since replacing Sir Alex Ferguson

David Moyes and Wayne Rooney (GETTY IMAGES)

David Moyes has spoken directly to the media for the first time since becoming the new Manchester United manager, and was quick to state that Wayne Rooney is not for sale.

The future of Rooney has topped the agenda since Moyes took over at Old Trafford and Sir Alex Ferguson's successor has set out his stance.

"I have had the chance to speak to him. He's a Manchester United player and will remain a Manchester United player," he said.

"I have known Wayne since he was 16, when he was at Everton. It is a little bit of deja vu. He is training really well, he is coming back in good shape and I am looking forward to working with him."

Moyes appeared to use the press conference to make a strong pitch to Rooney to remain at the club, pointing out the England striker is close to becoming the club's all-time leading goal scorer.

"It's interesting to think that Wayne is only 50 goals behind Sir Bobby Charlton."

Moyes did not go as far as saying Rooney wanted to remain at the club, as speculation continues over a possible move to Arsenal or Chelsea.

"Wayne Rooney will not be sold by Manchester United. We have spoken several times and what has happened before has gone now.

"We are working together now. I have seen a bit of a glint in his eye. He looks very happy and looks as if he's going to knuckle down."

Before going into retirement, Ferguson claimed that Rooney had asked to leave the club. However, Moyes refused to be drawn into the details of that particular conversation.

"I do not know what those two gentlemen said - Sir Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney. That conversation was private and as far as I am concerned I am looking forward to working with Wayne. I can categorically tell you that Wayne Rooney has trained fantastically well since I've been here. Wayne won't be sold by Manchester United."

He did say that Ferguson had told him of the quality Rooney brings to the squad.

"He [Sir Alex Ferguson] said you've got a very big player there [in Wayne Rooney], who has made a big impact in games but all the things he said about the squad were positive."

It was announced earlier this week that Ryan Giggs had been made a player-coach at the club. Moyes also revealed Paul Scholes, who retired for a second time at the end of last season, had been spoken to about a position.

"I spoke with Paul Scholes as well, he felt he wanted to have some time off with his family. I felt the right person was Ryan Giggs and he has been great. He has been on his Uefa pro licence course, he is taking steps forward and to get him and Phil Neville together is great."

Asked about what he will bring to the job, one described as impossible considering Ferguson's success, he replied: "All I can do is do what David Moyes has done before. I'll continue the traditions with the club. I am very fortunate that I am taking over the champions of England and I do hope that I can do a great job here in time."

"Success is tattooed right across the badge of this club. My job is to continue that. This club is about winning trophies. I'm driven to try and succeed, I'm determined to get the first one on the board.

"They had a great season in the Premier League last season - Manchester United. We will do everything we can to add to it. They've always gone after the best players. I'm looking forward to being given that challenge."

He also revealed details of how he came to accept the job following a direct call from Ferguson.

"I feel incredibly privileged that I was given the opportunity. I was grateful to Sir Alex and the board for making that happen. I knew nothing about the job until Sir Alex gave me the call and asked me and the first thing he said was he was retiring and then he said 'You're the next manager', and that was enough. I was shocked."

Ferguson remains a director of the club but Moyes allayed fears that his presence could prove a problem.

"I hope Sir Alex Ferguson is sitting in the directors' box. He's been so good. I've already called him for advice a couple of times on a couple of matters. I asked coach Rene (Meulensteen) to stay but he felt it was fair on me to go it alone. (Sir Alex) is not there to pressure me. The Glazers have been great since I got here and so has the new chief executive Edward Woodward.

"I'll be new to a lot of supporters. This a new era but Sir Alex Ferguson will never go away. He'll always be here - you can see his statue, you can see his stand, and he's certainly someone I'll go to. Hopefully, the supporters will realise it was his time to finish and time for someone else."

Moyes also played down his lack of European experience.

"I'm inexperienced in a lot of those things and they could have brought someone in who was more experienced, but the biggest confidence I got was Sir Alex saying to me 'You're the next Manchester United manager'."

Manchester United are expected to make signings this summer but Moyes refused to discuss specific targets.

"I will never speak about players at other clubs. I think it's wrong. But this club is always interested in the best players."

Moyes is one of a number of new appointments made this summer, including Jose Mourinho at Chelsea and Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City.

"There will be improvement from all the clubs. I'm pleased to see Jose (Mourinho) back. He's been very successful and he's someone everyone will enjoy having back in the Premier League," said Moyes. "I've come across (Manuel) Pellegrini a couple of times at Villarreal and Malaga. It's the first time there's been a real shake-up and it will be new to a lot of clubs. There's a lot of things unknown about how things will pan out."

Alongside the former Everton manager was captain Nemanja Vidic, who spoke of the excitement of working with a new manager.

"When the gaffer decided to retire, I was surprised. The players had respect for the manager at Everton and we are looking forward to working with him. The players are training well and they are excited about working with him."

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