The big news: Rooney is going nowhere, says Mourinho

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney is "going nowhere", stated manager Jose Mourinho, despite the club captain having not started a match in more than a month. "There is no problem at all but you need stories to sell papers," said the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss. "[Rooney] is a top player, a very important player for us," added Mourinho. "He is going nowhere – we like him, he likes us. He's not happy because he's been on the bench but he is even unhappier when he's injured."

Mourinho dismissed reports that Rooney was told to leave Old Trafford to get regular first-team football. Rooney has not started a league game since the 3-1 defeat to Watford on September 18.

Rooney, who was nursing a calf injury that saw him miss two matches, against Manchester City and Chelsea, is fit to take the field on Saturday against Burnley. He is just four goals short of surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton's tally of 249 goals to become United's all-time record goal scorer. But he has scored just once this season and has not found the net in his last 10 games for United.

Other top stories

  1. Wayne Rooney would be welcomed back to his boyhood club Everton, said manager Ronald Koeman. The Dutchman has described Rooney as a "great player" and would welcome the chance to bring him back to Goodison Park as he isn’t getting chances to play at Manchester United. "Even if one time there is a possibility that Rooney is an option for Everton, I'd say, 'yes, please'," said Koeman.
  2. Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino hopes that striker Harry Kane will be back to face neighbours Arsenal next weekend. “It’s difficult to know with Harry, but we’ll see,” Pochettino said. “If not Wednesday [against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League], maybe Sunday [versus Arsenal]. If not, we have to wait two weeks until after the international break.” The Spurs face Leicester City on Saturday.
  3. Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane said that Cristiano Ronaldo should be named the world's best player ahead of Lionel Messi despite his faltering form for Real Madrid. "He clearly deserves the Ballon d'Or," said Zidane. Ronaldo, 31, is one of the favourites to win the Ballon d'Or after helping Portugal win Euro 2016. But his recent struggle in front of goal has left him stranded, netting just four goals in nine appearances.
  4. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said that club captain Vincent Kompany has a future at the club. "He has a contract. So of course," said Guardiola, when asked if the 30-year-old had a future with City. "He was injured many times. We're trying to give him faith to play." Kompany was replaced at half-time during Wednesday's derby against Manchester United because he was "tired".
  5. Atletico de Kolkata climbed to the top of the Indian Super League table after fighting back from a goal down to win 2-1 against NorthEast United in Guwahati on Friday. Emiliano Alfaro had put NorthEast United ahead early on during the game. But Kolkata's marquee signing Helder Postiga scored his team's equaliser, before Juan Belencoso stabbed the winner late in the game to give his side the victory.
  6. Chennaiyin FC will look to remain in the top four when they host Kerala Blasters FC in their Indian Super League encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday. The Super Machans are presently fourth in the table with eight points from five matches. However, a win for Kerala will see them rise to the top four, dethroning Chennai and open up the competition further.