Manchester City remain interested in Manchester United star Wayne Rooney, it has been revealed. City failed a season ago to land Rooney, which led to the England ace seeing his contract upgraded.

But the Daily Mail says Rooney remains the English player most coveted by City.

Neither club will ever talk officially about how close Rooney came to leaving Old Trafford for the Etihad Stadium when he deliberated over signing a new contract at United at the start of last season. Suffice to say, though, that at one stage City thought they were extremely close to landing him.

Last summer, too, another move for Rooney was discussed around the City boardroom table and, given the slightest encouragement from the England striker's camp, the world's richest football club would be back.

Asked earlier this season where Rooney would play in a team so full of offensive talent, one well-placed City source said: "It doesn't matter. We would get him in the team. Every week."