Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho will not stand in Wayne Rooney’s path if he chooses to move to Chinese Super League
United's all-time record scorer may choose to cash in on the Chinese Super League after surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton's record
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JOSE MOURINHO says he will not stand in Wayne Rooney’s way if he wants a megabucks move to finish his career in China.
The striker is now Manchester United’s greatest goalscorer after hitting his 250th on Saturday.
Rooney, 31, could double his wages with a move to the Far East.
Boss Mourinho said: “I think the future belongs to him and what he wants in his career. The way he wants to end it, the way he wants to enjoy the last part, that belongs to him.
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“I don’t like to be critical of players who decide to go to China. It’s their life, it’s their career.
“The money is huge, the experience can also be interesting.
“I know some of my colleagues think they are more important than they are, and think they can interfere in the lives of other people, but I’m not that sort of guy.
“Could anyone have been critical of Zlatan if, last summer, he decided to go to China or USA, one guy who has had an amazing career — and it is the same with Wayne.
“To be honest, in Wayne’s case, I have no idea, because he’s never mentioned it to me.”
Rooney cannot command a starting place at United and his camp has already been told by Mourinho that if he wants regular first-team football he will have to leave.
But Mourinho still believes Rooney can make a contribution to United.
He said: “I think so. He has more to give us.
“He’s been a very good captain and person. He is always close to the other players and he has a very good relationship with me and my staff.
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“He is very respectful and I can only have good things to say about him.”
Rooney has not started any of the last five league games but was determined not to leave the club until he had surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton’s record.
The striker, who has 18 months to run on his current £300,000-a-week deal, said: “My main priority now is to fight for my place.
“I have been in and out of the first team and I need to keep trying to perform and score to stay in the side.”