Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has said that he would be interested in signing Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.

Rooney hit the headlines in England at the start of this week with the news that he has refused to sign a new contact at Old Trafford. Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson on Tuesday confirmed that Rooney wanted to leave Manchester United and even spoke of being betrayed by the player.

There are very few clubs who would have the money to sign Rooney: Manchester City and Chelsea in England as well as Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.

When asked about a possible move for Rooney, Mourinho expressed his surprise at events, but admitted that the England striker was a player he would love to have in his side alongside other talents such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain.

"I think that he will stay at Manchester United and that would be the best thing," he said in an interview with Sky Sports.

"I like him, I like Sir Alex and I like Manchester United, but if they want to sell him, they should give me a call. Anyone in the World would be interested in signing him," said Mourinho, who was trying not to laugh as he discussed the availability of a player Real Madrid club President Florentino Perez has long been interested in.

"Would I like to reunite him with Cristiano Ronaldo? Of course I would, but I am certain he will stay at Old Trafford. He will have his reasons for wanting to leave, but he belongs to Manchester United and their fans," he concluded.