Carrick: Manchester United will fight for Rooney

The striker wants to leave Old Trafford this summer despite the club's unwillingness to sell him to Chelsea and his team-mates have rallied around after his first-team return

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick insists that the club will fight to support Wayne Rooney after the striker returned to the first team on Saturday.

Rooney is keen to leave Old Trafford this summer and has attracted concrete interest from Chelsea but was given a 30-minute run-out by David Moyes in the 4-1 win at Swansea City.

The 27-year-old laid on goals for Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck, despite having played only an hour for England on Wednesday during pre-season, and Carrick reacted positively when asked if he was pleased to see his
team-mate return to action.

"Yes. I thought [Rooney] came on and looked good," the midfielder told reporters. "He set up two goals and that's what he's all about.

"He's a real threat. He got a bit of a whack [on his Achilles] when he made Danny's second but I'm sure he'll be all right. He's a big Manchester United player. He's one of us and we all stick together.

"When we're on the pitch we fight for each other and do what we can for Wayne. He's certainly part of that."

United fans greeted Rooney's arrival with cheers at the Liberty Stadium but Carrick did not expect any less.

"He's given this club an awful lot so the fans support him and we support him," he added. "As I said, we stick together. It was a good day."

Phil Jones was also pleased to see the fans' warm reception. "That was great," the youngster enthused. "He is a fantastic player and he did well when he came on. He came on and did the job. He did well. The manager and all the lads are pleased."