david moyes has revealed that chelsea were close to signing wayne rooney during his ill fated tenure as manchester united manager moyes, who gave rooney his professional debut as a 16 year old at everton, succeeded sir alex ferguson in the summer of 2013   with the england striker being heavily linked with a move to stamford bridge at the same time the pair had a well publicised falling out following rooney's departure from goodison park in 2004, but moyes fought hard to retain the united forward's services at old trafford wayne rooney (left) tracks eden hazard during manchester united's clash with chelsea on saturday  rooney gets a shot away despite the attention of kurt zouma during his side's 1 0 loss at stamford bridge  'i look at wayne rooney i gave him his professional debut aged 16 and he's now on the verge of breaking all manchester united's scoring records,' moyes told the sunday times 'it was only a short time ago that wayne could have easily left united but i always felt he was as good as any british player out there; wherever he plays, he's a great footballer and, most importantly, he'll always score goals 'now, i'm delighted for wayne, because chelsea were close to taking him jose (mourinho) was interested but we wouldn't do any business david moyes succeed sir alex ferguson as united manager during the summer of 2013  'i had to fight to make sure he stayed   and was at the heart again, of what manchester united were going to be moving forward' rooney has been a vital cog in louis van gaal's new look united outfit this season with his side on course on for a champions league place next year despite their 1 0 loss to chelsea at stamford bridge on saturday moyes gave a 16 year old rooney his professional debut at everton back in 2002 
wayne rooney everton chelsea 2013 rooney manchester united's david moyes moyes
david moyes gave wayne rooney his professional debut at everton  moyes was appointed manchester united's new manager in 2013  rooney was heavily linked with a move to chelsea at the same time 