Everton have quashed media reports linking teenage England striker Wayne Rooney with a move to Manchester United.
Rooney has been offered a new five-year contract -- the most lucrative in the premier league club's history -- to stay at Goodison Park amid speculation that his sparkling performances at Euro 2004 could trigger a move to a bigger club.
"I can confirm to you that we've had no interest expressed by Manchester United. We hope that they can't afford Wayne Rooney and effectively that Wayne will stay with Everton," director Paul Gregg said after the club clinched a $2.75 million (1.5 million pound) shirt sponsorship deal with a leading Thai brewer on Wednesday.
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has been quoted as saying that Rooney's transfer value soared to 50 million pounds following his Euro 2004 performances.
Rooney, who scored four goals before breaking a bone in his foot in the early stages of England's quarter-final defeat by host nation Portugal, is expected to be sidelined for around eight weeks while he recovers from the injury.
"As far as Wayne Rooney's concerned, I am pleased to inform you that he reported for training at the start of the season on Monday," added Gregg.
"So we have every reason to believe that he'll be with the team when he recovers from his foot injury, early in the season."