Real Madrid’s manager, José Mourinho, confirmed his interest in signing the Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.

The United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, admitted on Tuesday that Rooney wants to leave the club, and although Mourinho remains sceptical about that, he does feel there could be a place for him at Madrid.

“He will stay. He probably wants to leave for some reason but I believe he belongs to Man United, he belongs to Man United fans, he belongs to Old Trafford. But if at the end of the day Man United decide that he is to leave, then give me a call,” said Mourinho.

Real are one of the few clubs with the financial muscle to attract Rooney, and Mourinho would clearly be prepared to listen if the chance to sign the player arose. The former Chelsea manager admitted he would not be alone in a bidding war if the England striker is put on the market.

“Everybody would be interested! But again, I don’t think so, I think and I wish … I wish because I like him, I like Sir Alex, I like Man United. I believe the best thing for him is to stay there for life.”