Real Madrid rule out competing in January for Man Utd rebel Rooney

Real Madrid refuse to enter an auction for Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.

The Daily Mail says Real will avoid a head-on battle with Manchester City and Chelsea for Rooney in January, because they know it is not one they would win.

If the saga continues into the summer, club president Florentino Perez's commercial instincts and Jose Mourinho's admiration for Rooney will kick in and the Real will join the hunt. But a winter auction with Chelsea and Manchester City has been ruled out.

The Manchester United striker was mocked up in Real colours yesterday on the front page of Madrid-supporting paper Marca, but beside it was the story that Rooney was demanding more money than Cristiano Ronaldo, which would make him the club's top earner.

There was also a photograph of him with his ankle in a cast and questions over whether he would fit into the team and stay out of trouble off the pitch.