Moyes' angry outburst at Rooney questioning overshadows first trophy as manager of United

David Moyes' first trophy as Manchester United manager was overshadowed by an angry outburst over his handling of Wayne Rooney.

All smiles: David Moyes (right) landed his first trophy as Manchester United
 manager on Sunday with a 2-0 win over Wigan in the Community Shield

A double by Robin van Persie at Wembley gave United a Community Shield win over Wigan yesterday, but Moyes’s celebrations soon gave way to an animated defence of his stance over Rooney’s fitness and future.

The United manager flatly denied being at odds with Rooney, saying: ‘I can absolutely assure you all I have not fallen out with him.’

He then insisted his unhappy England striker would report for international duty with his full blessing, ahead of Wednesday’s Wembley meeting with Scotland. 

Rooney continues to hanker after a move to Chelsea, so United are still monitoring Tottenham’s Gareth Bale and might make a bid before the end of the transfer window. They could also go back to Moyes’s old club Everton and increase their double bid for Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines.

Rooney was again missing from United’s line-up with a shoulder problem, but an irate Moyes said: ‘I have spoken to Roy Hodgson for about two hours in total, and I don’t see how there can be any confusion about Wayne being all right for Wednesday but not this weekend. Roy knows the situation. Wayne has trained. He trained with the reserves because he asked to.

Not ready: United boss Moyes is keen for Rooney to join up with the England
 squad despite his lack of time on the pitch during pre-season

'He couldn’t have any physical contact, because it’s a shoulder injury, so he had a floating role, so he didn’t aggravate it. Any other message that came across was wrong. It’s a big game for Scotland, don’t forget, so you don’t think I’d send England a fit player, do you? Seriously, though, I want him to join up with England.

‘He’s not ready, and that will probably be apparent, but he will play a chunk of the game, and that will be great for United, because he has had no playing time. Is it still the club’s policy that he won’t be sold. Correct. Am I concerned everyone says he wants to go? That’s right. He’s not for sale, no change at all. There’s no other answer to that question. Why keep an unhappy player? I heard your question. Good.

‘We’re getting closer to signings. We’re moving forward, but the deadline is getting closer as well. If we don’t bring anyone in, I’m happy to go with what we’ve got. We had a lot of young English players out there today. Giving young British players a chance… we are doing our bit.’

When asked if United's policy is that he will not be sold Moyes replied: 'Correct.'

He added: 'I'm quite enjoying talking about it because I'm hearing so many of you getting it wrong.

'I want him to join up with England. He trained with us yesterday. He's not ready. You'll probably see that in the game.

'He'll probably play a chunk of the game but he's had no football. He's had 45 minutes against Real Betis in a friendly where he hurt his shoulder.

'Apart from that since he came back for pre-season he's had no match action. You probably wouldn't expect somebody in that condition to be playing for a long period. He's coming back, he's breaking himself back into the team.

'It will be great for Manchester United because hopefully Wayne will get some playing time. He wasn't ready for today but he has a chance of being ready for Wednesday.'

United suffered a blow against Wigan when Rafael went off with a hamstring injury which could see him out for a month but Moyes was delighted with the contribution of Robin van Persie, who scored after five minutes with a towering header and then grabbed another in the second half when his shot ricocheted off Wigan's James Perch and spun past goalkeeper Scott Carson.

Moyes said: 'It was a great header, 16 yards on the angle into the side-netting. I've been really impressed with Robin.

'He's been easy to work with. He's been really receptive and helpful.

'We tried to manage him at the right times by playing him for some minutes and not(for others). He's so important we have to look after him at the right times. Today he came up with the goods again with his goals.'

Moyes was also pleased with the debut of Wilfried Zaha.

'He's done well in the pre-season games and he's going to develop,' said Moyes. 'There will be times when he is up and down but it was a great opportunity for him to get on the pitch and be a part of Manchester United.'

Moyes, however, was reluctant to take praise for the trophy. He said: 'I class that as another piece of silverware for Sir Alex (Ferguson) really. It was his team that won the Premier League last season so I see today as for Sir Alex. The ones going forward will be down to me.'

Meanwhile, Wigan manager Owen Coyle insisted the club had received no offers for James McCarthy despite the midfielder being linked with moves to Tottenham and Everton.

Coyle said: 'There will always be speculation about good players but that's exactly what it is, speculation. I'm quite comfortable in telling you I've not had any enquiries or offers. If I did I would be the first to tell you.

'We've got good players. I wouldn't be surprised if there was interest but at the moment there's nothing to talk about.'

Coyle, whose side failed to work United goalkeeper David de Gea throughout the 90 minutes, reiterated the club's desire to return to the Premier League at the first attempt, although he conceded it would be a tough challenge juggling the demands of the Europa League.

He said: 'For Wigan it is an opportunity to play against very good sides. It is getting the balance right. Any game we enter we want to win so we'll do our best when that competition comes about.

'The level we want to get back to is playing against the Manchester Uniteds and the elite clubs every week. We'll take the lessons from today and move forward.

'We always knew it would be a tough afternoon. We conceded an unbelievable finish. I'm disappointed to lose the game but there were spells where we showed we could play.'

Coyle also predicted Moyes would be a success at Old Trafford.

He added: 'I've no doubts David Moyes will be very successful. He will take Manchester United from strength to strength. He's replaced the best manager we've ever seen in club football but he was the right person for the job, no doubt about it. It's great for up and coming British managers to see a club like Manchester United going with David Moyes because he has earned that right.

'I was hoping he would be successful after today but I'm sure he will go from strength to strength.'

DailyMail