Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted that the club have had no contact with Manchester United over the possible capture of striker Wayne Rooney.

The England international has been tipped to leave Old Trafford this summer after Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed that he asked for a transfer for the second time in three years.

Reports this morning have claimed that the Gunners discussed launching a bid for Rooney as early as March this year once they had discovered that the forward was unsettled at the North-West club.

"I don't know if Man United will sell Rooney, and that is the best sign to show you that we have not made any approach," Wenger said in a press conference. "At the moment we are focused on [the game against Newcastle United]."

Arsenal last did business with United when they sold their star striker Robin van Persie to Old Trafford in the summer.