Mourinho: Rooney saga Moyes' fault

26 August 2013 11:02

Jose Mourinho claims Chelsea made their move for Manchester United's Wayne Rooney as David Moyes suggested the striker was no longer a first choice.

Chelsea will return with a third bid for Rooney following Monday night's Barclays Premier League meeting between the sides, despite being told the striker is not for sale.

It was put to Mourinho that he will not be the most popular man at Old Trafford in a match where there is an opportunity to strike an early blow in the title race.

"Why? They are against me?" the self-proclaimed Special One said. "But I didn't say (to Rooney) you will be a second choice for me. And they are against me?

"We are trying to get a player that the manager told 'you will be a second option'. We are not going for (Robin) van Persie.

"They don't have to be against me. If I say Ramires is a second option for me and he plays when (Frank) Lampard is tired or injured, if somebody comes here to get Ramires, nobody is upset."

Asked if it is Moyes who is culpable for the Rooney situation, Mourinho said: "Of course."

If Mourinho, who expects to complete a deal for Willian imminently after hijacking Tottenham's move for the Anzhi Makhachkala forward, can prise Rooney from United by the September 2 close of the transfer window, it would be a significant coup.

But it would also lead to the departure of one of Chelsea's existing three strikers - Fernando Torres, Romelu Lukaku and Demba Ba.

Ba appears most likely to leave, even if only on a temporary basis.

Source: PA