Transfer news: Wayne Rooney refuses to be guided by Jose Mourinho and will not hand in a transfer request at Manchester United

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho had given the striker a 48-hour deadline

Wayne Rooney looks on during Manchester United's goalless draw with Chelsea last night (GETTY IMAGES)

Wayne Rooney will not hand in a transfer request to leave Manchester United, according to reports, knocking back Chelsea’s hopes of bringing the forward to Stamford Bridge in this transfer window.

Blues’ manager Jose Mourinho had set a 48-hour deadline for the transfer after Chelsea’s 0-0 draw with United, in which Rooney played a starring role but Sky Sports have reported that Rooney will not hand in a formal request to leave United. Chelsea have already seen two bids rejected for the 27-year-old this summer.

"One way or another he has to say 'I want to leave' or 'I want to stay,” Mourinho said.

"The person that started the story has to finish the story. For the good of everyone, it is time to finish the story."

Rooney had indicated in June he wanted to leave United after being left “angry and confused” by his role at Old Trafford but now appears to have softened his stance after making his first start in four months for the club in last night’s draw.

"I was very pleased with his performance and I was very pleased with the reaction from the crowd,” United manager David Moyes, who has always maintained that Rooney would not be sold, said. “I think Wayne has a positive mind at the moment. I don't think he needs to change. I think his performance said enough. I think his actions showed what he thought.”

Chelsea are looking at signing Anzhi Makhachkala striker Samuel Eto’o, who won the Champions League with Mourinho in 2010 at Internazionale, as a back-up plan if the Rooney transfer does not materialise.