Jose Mourinho refused to be drawn on reports of renewed interest in the Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.

Chelsea had two bids for Rooney rejected in the summer and there has been speculation Mourinho is ready to pounce should United fail to qualify for the Champions League at the end of the season.

But Mourinho insisted he was not prepared to speak about a player from a team Chelsea are scheduled to face at Stamford Bridge tomorrow week. "We play Man United in a few days. I don't think it's nice to speak about a Man United player. You have to ask him [Rooney]. You have to ask the player. And Man United. . ."