LONDON (AFP) - Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Manchester United want to offer Wayne Rooney an extension to his current contract after a torrid week for the England striker.

Ferguson sparked speculation over Rooney's future by surprisingly dropping him for Tuesday's Champions League defeat by Real Madrid.

Reports claimed the United manager's relationship with Rooney had deteriorated over

the striker's failure to look after his fitness.

But Ferguson insisted on Friday that Rooney, linked with Bayern Munich over the weekend, would not be allowed to leave and stressed the club see him in their long-term plans.

Rooney is tied to United until the end of the 2014-15 season, so there is no need to sit down for talks immediately, but Ferguson suggested the club were willing to discuss a new deal.