"It would be a grave mistake to leave ManU" Rooney

Manchester, England.-Manchester United footballer Wayne Rooney said he had gone to play outside unless it reached an agreement to renew contract with the Red Devils, adding he had no intention of joining Manchester City.

"Everyone is saying that would ultimately join Manchester City," said the striker said on Friday in United's website (www.manutd.com). "If I had been would have been to another club in England," he added.

Rooney said last month he wanted to leave United because the club was taking no world class players, but changed his mind and signed a lucrative five-year contract.

The striker claimed his powers of persuasion to change the manager Alex Ferguson, who said after the renewal of the England international Rooney now understands "what a great club like Manchester United."

Rooney believes it would have been a mistake to leave United. "It could have been the biggest mistake I made," said the striker on Wednesday after scoring the winning goal for his team 1-0 to the Rangers for the Champions League.

"We have seen many players leave the club and are not doing so well, so I'm happy to have stayed," he said.

Rooney also apologized to United fans, who gave a lukewarm reception when he returned to the team on Saturday against Wigan Athletic in their first appearance since he threatened to leave.

"I feel I have apologized to the fans, but everyone keeps saying I have not. If that is the case, I apologize," he said.