Sir Alex Ferguson: 'Wayne Rooney won't be sold in the summer'

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has announced that the club have no intention of selling striker Wayne Rooney at the end of the season.

There had been rumours that the England international would be shown the door at Old Trafford in the summer after he was demoted to the bench for United's Champions League exit against Real Madrid on Tuesday.

It had been speculated that the 27-year-old believed that he would be booted out of the North-West club come the end of the season, and that a move to Barcelona would be his preferred option.

Despite the recent uncertainty over Rooney's future, Ferguson has insisted in a press conference today that the rumours are "absolute rubbish" and that the frontman was "fine" when he was dropped from United's starting XI earlier this week.

"He'll be here next year," said Ferguson. "You can have my word on that."

The Scotsman also confirmed that Rooney will feature in this weekend's FA Cup quarter-final against Chelsea.