Mourinho won't rule out Rooney move

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho would be interested in signing Wayne Rooney should Manchester United decide they have no option but to sell the England striker.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed on Tuesday that Rooney wants to leave the club, and barring a change of heart from the player it means he is almost certain to leave either in January or at the end of the season.

Speaking after Real's 2-0 win over AC Milan in the Champions League, Mourinho told Sky Sports News: "He will stay. He probably wants to leave for some reason but I believe he belongs to Man United, he belongs to Man United fans, he belongs to Old Trafford. But if at the end of the day Man United decide that he is to leave, then give me a call."

Real are one of the few clubs with the financial muscle to attract Rooney, and Mourinho would clearly be prepared to listen if the chance to sign the player arose. The former Chelsea boss admitted he would not be alone in a bidding war if the England striker is put on the market.

"Everybody will be interested," he said.

"But I like him, I like Sir Alex, I like Man United and I believe the best thing for him is to stay there for life."

A move to Madrid would reunite Rooney with Cristiano Ronaldo, with whom he had so much success at Old Trafford.

However, Mourinho laughed when asked about a possible reunion.

"Yeah, but he will stay at Old Trafford for sure," he said.