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'We want Rooney at Man United for life'
"He is fantastic. He has the energy and desire to remain at the top... We want him for life," Man Utd manager said.
Sir Alex Ferguson said on Friday he wants England striker Wayne Rooney to stay at Manchester United for the rest of his career.
Rooney, 20, is already contracted to the club until 2010 following his 27 million pound (51 million dollar) transfer two years ago from Everton.
But Ferguson said he wanted to tie Rooney to the club for longer, with United chief executive David Gill saying the club would begin talks as soon as they could.
"We want Wayne Rooney to stay here for a lifetime," said Ferguson.
"He is a fantastic footballer. He has the energy, enthusiasm and desire to remain at the top. We have a group of good young players here and we want them to stay together for a long time. Without question, Wayne is part of that and I am pleased he is so enthusiastic to stay."
Over the past year the club have secured extended contracts for two other young prospects, winger Cristiano Ronaldo and striking starlet Giuseppe Rossi, and Rooney is next on the list.
Gill said talks would only begin once the transfer window has closed as the club is still concentrating on new signings, notably in midfield.
"It is in our plans to talk to Wayne but it is a private matter and we will not put a deadline on it or timing on it," Gill said.
"Any player that says he wants to sign a contract is a positive sign and we will sit down and do something I am sure. It is in our interests and his to do that.
"But at the moment we are concentrating on this transfer window and some other matters."
