Premier League champions Manchester United has reportedly insisted that they will not sell player Wayne Rooney even if he hands in a formal transfer request.
According to the Mirror, Rooney is 'angry and confused' at the perception that he is now an understudy to matchwinner Robin van Persie and has become disillusioned at the club, which is braced for a written transfer request from their unhappy striker.
However, the report added that despite Rooney's discontent and Chelsea's determination to purchase him, the Old Trafford giants are adamant that they will not be pushed into selling Rooney even if he hands in the transfer request.
But, the report said that the club is encouraged that their pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas will be successful, once they increase their offer, even as it strengthens its position on refusing to let go of Rooney, who could be back for a friendly in Sweden on August 6, despite flying home from United's pre-season tour with a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, the report said that talks between United and Chelsea ended with an agreement that no player from either side would publicly discuss the Blues' pursuit of the striker, with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho agreeing to not name-check Rooney and declare questions over the player out of bounds.