Wayne Rooney has instructed Jadon Sancho to ignore interest from Manchester United and focus on consolidating his status as a starting player at Borussia Dortmund instead.

Sancho emerged as one of Europe's brightest young talents last season, claiming 12 goals and 14 assists in 32 matches for the German side.

United were heavily linked with the 19-year-old earlier in the 2018-19 campaign, but their chances of landing such an expensive signing were diminished by failing to reach the Champions League.

Speaking in an interview with Bild last week, Rooney, who left Old Trafford in 2017, insisted it was best for Sancho to stay put in Germany amid interest from the Premier League.

"Dortmund is a great club with great fans, they trust their young players and you can see that in Sancho and the progress he has made in the last 12 months," he said.

"Now Jadon has to ask himself whether he would get the playing time he gets in Dortmund when he moves to England, or would he just sit on the bench?

"Playing time is so important for a young player like Jadon, so if he gets the most playing time in Dortmund, he should stay there."

Sancho, who is settled in Germany, has reportedly decided to remain at the Signal Iduna Park for another season at least.

United could reignite their interest in Sancho, who is valued at around £70m, if Paul Pogba completes a move away from Old Trafford this summer.