LONDON, United Kingdom -- Alex Ferguson has confirmed Manchester United want to offer Wayne Rooney an extension to his current contract after a torrid week for the England striker.

Ferguson sparked speculation over Rooney's future by surprisingly dropping the star for Tuesday's Champions League defeat against Real Madrid.

Reports claimed Ferguson's relationship with Rooney had deteriorated over the former Everton forward's failure to look after his fitness.

But the United manager insisted on Friday that Rooney, linked with Bayern Munich over the weekend, wouldn't be allowed to leave and he has stressed the club see him in their long-term plans.

Rooney, who is reported to earn £220,000-a-week, is tied to United until the end of the 2014-15 season, so there is no need to sit down for talks immediately, but Ferguson suggested the club were willing to discuss a new deal.

"There's no issue with his contract, when it has to be renegotiated it will be. We don't want players to leave," Ferguson told several Sunday newspapers. - Rappler.com