Rio Ferdinand advises Wayne Rooney against leaving United

Manchester: Rio Ferdinand has urged Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney to commit his future to the Barclays Premier League champions.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who oversaw training for the first time since his return on Tuesday, wants Rooney and will offer a five-year deal worth £240,000 (Dh1.31 million) a week if terms can be agreed with United.

Ferdinand admitted the unsettled striker has a decision to make over whether to stay but is convinced the unsettled striker can fulfil his ambitions under new boss David Moyes.

The United defender, who is preparing to start his 12th season at Old Trafford and has been granted a testimonial against Sevilla on August 9, said: “I don’t see where you go from here that is better. Cristiano Ronaldo is ridiculous as a football player individually but has he won more trophies than United since he left? I wouldn’t say Ronaldo shouldn’t have gone there, it was his dream to go there and we have to respect that — but I want to win trophies.

“When someone has been at the club for the length of time Wayne Rooney’s been there, he’s more than clued-up enough to understand the dynamics of the club. He’s mature enough and old enough to make his own mind up. It’s not down to the players to speak on his behalf — I’m sure in time he’ll have his own say. If you take in what the manager said, he’s not leaving, so we will take that as gospel.”

Rooney has won five Premier League titles during his distinguished career at Old Trafford. Ronaldo, who has been strongly linked with a return to United, has won Spain’s La Liga only once since his move to Real Madrid in 2009.

Ferdinand added: “I don’t know if the [Ronaldo] move can happen because I don’t know the financial situation of the club. If you asked any United fan they would want me to say yes to it and the players are no different, I’m sure.”

Ferdinand has had chances to leave United, but says he would never play for another English side. He signed a one-year deal in the summer.

The defender, who has won six Premier League titles and the Champions League with United, added: “I look at things in plain black and white — I want to win trophies so why would I leave? Who am I going to win more trophies with? You could say Barcelona have won more but I’m playing in a country where you’re proud to win the league in your country. I’ve grown up wanting to win the league here and that’s all I can see.

“I wouldn’t play for anyone else in England. I wouldn’t want to come to Old Trafford as an away player, it wouldn’t feel right. If I played for another team, it would have to be abroad. I’ve had loads of offers over the years, but I’ve never really wanted to go anywhere. I came to Manchester United for one simple reason and that was to win trophies.”