Transfer news: Denis Irwin says if David Moyes claims Wayne Rooney will not be leaving, his word is 'good enough for me'

Former Manchester United left-back has given his support to Moyes as the Rooney transfer saga continues to roll

Denis Irwin (l) has said that he believes David Moyes when he says Wayne Rooney will not leave Manchester United (GETTY IMAGES)

Former Manchester United left-back Denis Irwin has backed David Moyes statement that Wayne Rooney will not be sold this summer, claiming his words are “good enough for me”.

Rooney has dominated the headlines over the last fortnight over a transfer away from the Premier League champions, with Chelsea having a bid rejected earlier this week.

Sir Alex Ferguson claimed that Rooney had asked for a transfer towards the back-end of last season, and he started the new season badly when he suffered a hamstring injury on the very first day of their pre-season tour of Asia.

Rooney is said to have been angered by comments made by Moyes suggesting that Rooney would not be first choice at Old Trafford, which has been fuelled further by Jose Mourinho’s comments today that he can ill-afford to be second choice ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

Yet United maintain that Rooney will not be leaving the club, with his contract still having two years left to keep him at the Premier League champions.

Irwin has spoken of his acceptance of Moyes’ words, and he also praised Rooney’s talents and what he has achieved at the club.

"Wayne is a fantastic player," said the former Republic of Ireland full-back.

"He has been great in the years he has been at the club and has scored a stack of goals for us.

"David Moyes is the manager. He makes the decisions.

"He has said Wayne Rooney is going nowhere. That is good enough for me."

Moyes is yet to strengthen his squad having signed just Guillermo Varela, who looks to be heading back to South America on loan. He has been linked with a move for both Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini, though activity has slowed since a £12m bid for the left-back was rejected.

With Cesc Fabregas also linked with a move, having seen a bid rejected by Barcelona, a move for Gareth Bale has resurfaced today with a fee of £60m being reported.

Irwin believes that there is always speculation at this time of year regardless of who you are, and that the players will be focused despite new rumours every day of who may be leaving or joining the club.

"There will always be loads of speculation at this time of the season, whether it is in your position or someone else's," said Irwin.

"It is part and parcel of being a footballer at a top club.

"My thoughts were just to get my head down and work as hard as possible because you want to get a good pre-season under your belt.

"David Moyes has said Wayne Rooney is not going anywhere and there will always be talk about who United are bringing in.

"The players will just ignore it really."

Moyes admitted that since taking the role as Manchester United manager, he has been overwhelmed with the attention both he and the club has received.

"I have been overwhelmed already," said Moyes.

"We dropped into Thailand on the way to Sydney and everywhere you go with Manchester United, everyone wants to meet the players."

He was shown a montage video of United’s Premier League winning run last season, demonstrating the prestige that comes with the postion.

"It was the first time I had seen those clips myself and I thought 'wow'," said Moyes.

"I was very fortunate to get a great grounding at Everton.

"But I have now come to the biggest club in the world. Sir Alex (Ferguson) has left me a winning team. I am taking over the champions of England.

"The job now is to try and do what you saw in all those clips. The history of this football club is incredible.

"I have a great chance to build on that and try and get a little bit more over the coming seasons."