United Dismiss Rooney Reports

Reports that the England striker Wayne Rooney has signed a record-breaking new contract with Manchester United are premature, the club has insisted.

The Sun on Sunday newspaper reported that Rooney had signed a new four-and-a-half year deal worth £300,000 a week to stay at Old Trafford.

However, the club have insisted that the 28-year-old has yet to sign a contract extension, which was reportedly worth £70m until summer 2018.

"There is no deal, which is why we haven't announced it," a United spokesman said.

Negotiations, which have been taking place for some time now, are believed to be still continuing.

Rooney has been linked with an exit ever since the end of last season, when former manager Sir Alex Ferguson said he had made a transfer request, and Chelsea were reported to be interested in a swoop for his services.

United's dip in form - they are seventh in the Premier League table, 11 points off the top four - appeared to be another cause for concern regarding Rooney's future, but the opening of talks several weeks ago appear to have allayed fears of him leaving.