David Moyes: 'Wayne Rooney almost joined Chelsea'

Former Manchester United manager David Moyes has revealed that captain Wayne Rooney came "close" to joining Premier League rivals Chelsea during his time in charge at Old Trafford.

The England international's future was up in the air when Moyes replaced Sir Alex Ferguson as Red Devils boss in 2013, with Jose Mourinho confirmed to be keen on luring the striker to Stamford Bridge.

Rooney put an end to the mounting speculation by signing a new deal at United, thought to be worth in the region of £300,000 a week, although Moyes admits that things could have turned out differently.

"Chelsea were close to taking him," the Real Sociedad manager told The Times. "Jose was interested but we wouldn't do any business.

"I had to fight to make sure he stayed - and was at the heart, again, of what Manchester United were going to be moving forward."

Rooney, who was handed the United captaincy last summer, has scored 21 goals in 41 appearances for club and country this season.