Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger expects Wayne Rooney to stay with Manchester United amid reports his negotiations over a new deal have broken down.
The 24-year-old England striker is being linked with a move to Real Madrid or Manchester City after it was reported his relationship with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had turned sour.
Wenger, however, believes too much has been made of Ferguson's decision to leave Rooney out of his starting line-up for the Barclays Premier League match against West Brom on Saturday and cannot see the former Everton man moving on.
Quoted in the Daily Star, Wenger said: "Rooney is a great player. I am convinced he will stay at Manchester United because it is his club.
"They have the power to keep him. When you give a great player a rest, you have a story. Rooney is Rooney. He will stay where he is."
Rooney's existing United contract expires in 2012 and Wenger added: "I am surprised his contract has been allowed to run.
"But, basically, I don't know why. It can happen many times.
"What I know for players like Rooney today only three or four clubs can buy him. For Rooney, it will not be a financial choice.
"He will decide if he stays. He would say, 'Old Trafford is my home, I will stay there'. And Manchester United would turn up with the right number. He knows that. They know that."
Wenger believes that whether Rooney stays or not, United will struggle to regain the Premier League title, telling The Sun: "Chelsea won the championship last year. Rooney was at Manchester United and that didn't stop Chelsea from winning the championship."
