Wayne Rooney has apologised to the Manchester United fans for the manner of his new contract negotiations last month.

The England international, who says he would never sign for Manchester City, threatened to leave United because of their lack of ambition, before penning a lucrative new long-term deal.

He said:"I feel like I've apologised to the fans but everyone keeps saying that I haven't. If that's the case, then I apologise for my side of things.

"I've made my point clear since I signed my contract that I'm committed to this club for the long term. I want to be successful here. Everyone is saying that I was definitely going to Manchester City. Believe me if I had gone it wouldn't have been in England.

"I spoke with the manager and (chief executive) David Gill. They reassured me the club was moving forward and from that it took maybe two or three hours to negotiate my contract and sign it.

"It wasn't a distraction to my football because I haven't played that much but it was a distraction overall. I am just happy it is all over now. I want to put it behind me and look forward.

"Mentally I have been okay. Because the football has not been going well and other things have happened, everyone has put it down to not being mentally strong enough. But I am.

"Obviously the most important thing for me at the minute is to play and score goals."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email