Jose Mourinho cannot guarantee Wayne Rooney will be at Manchester United until the end of the season.
Rooney has been linked with a move to the Chinese Super League, where the transfer window remains open until February 28.
Mourinho says he would never force a player of Rooney's stature to move away from Old Trafford but admits the ultimate decision will lie with the 31-year-old.
"You have to ask him," said Mourinho. "I can't guarantee that I'm here next week so how can I guarantee a player won't be here next season?
"What I can guarantee is that if Wayne one day leaves the club it is not because I want him to leave the club.
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"The only thing I can guarantee is that I would never push, or try to push, a legend of this club to another destination.
"So you have to ask him if he wants to stay at the club for the rest of his career or if he sees himself moving on. I'm happy to have him.
"I have been very open with you. I don't want him to leave."
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