SYDNEY: In case anybody had not quite got the message yet, a succession of well-briefed formerManchester United players lined up in Sydney on Thursday to firmly reiterate the English champions would not be selling Wayne Rooney. 

United's Premier League rivals Chelsea said on Wednesday they had been rebuffed after making a cash bid for the unsettled England striker, who returned early from the Asia-Pacific tour to have treatment on a hamstring injury. 

Manager David Moyes avoided the question altogether in a scripted Q&A at a lunch in the city and it was left to former players Bryan Robson, Denis Irwin and Dwight Yorke - dressed in club blazers and ties - to trot out the party line. 

"David Moyes has said Wayne Rooney isn't for sale and as far as we're concerned that's the end of it," former England and United captain Robson told reporters. 

"I don't think its been a disruption to the squad, they're getting on with training," he added. 

"Unfortunately Wayne got the hamstring strain ... but it hasn't been a distraction for the other boys."