Jose Mourinho has given Wayne Rooney 48 hours to clarify whether he wants to stay at Manchester United this season or move to Chelsea.
The Blues boss watched from the sidelines as the England striker, produced a fine performance against his team on Monday night amidst adulation from the Old Trafford faithfuls.
After the 0-0 draw, he admitted that the fans’ reaction may have caused the 27-year-old to change his mind, but still demanded to know the position of things, before making a third bid.
“I think the person that started the story has to finish the story,” said Mourinho, meaning Rooney.
“A club like us, a manager like me, we are not silly to try to get a player from a big club that doesn’t sell who they don’t want to sell. We are not silly to try something if somebody didn’t start it.
“So I think it is time, for the good of everyone, to finish the story. For one side, for the other side.
When he was asked if he wanted Rooney to say whether he wants to stay or go, Mourinho replied, “Yes, I would like. In 24, 48 hours.
“He was a real professional, played for his club, played for the club that pays him. Tried to win, Tried to score. He was fantastic. After that [does] he want to leave? He has to say.
“Or he has decided now he doesn’t want to leave any more? His problem.
“But I praise him because he was fantastic, he played a fantastic match in difficult circumstances. He played fantastic.
“We have to speak, but I think this club [United] must be a very special club. In every club in the world, when a player wants to leave, they don’t support him.
“When a player wants to leave, they give him a hard time. But they have supported him all the way, so I think this must be a very special club, with special fans.
“I think probably now, he decides that he wants to stay. If he makes that decision, we will be the first to respect that.”
On the possibility of a third bid, the former Real Madrid manager said: “It depends on his reaction and his feelings. If, now, he doesn’t want to leave, we are out of the thing.
“But we need to know, we need to know what is happening.”
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