David Moyes started work at Manchester United yesterday, spending the day at the Carrington training ground of the 20-times English top-flight champions.

After touring the facilities and meeting his new colleagues, Moyes is now free to turn his attention to the most pressing matter at hand: Wayne Rooney.

Overnight reports suggest that Moyes remains determined to retain the services of England international Rooney.

Two weeks before Alex Ferguson announced his retirement, Rooney submitted a transfer request.

He is upset at the lack of game time he experienced this season, and the fact that when he did play, it was second fiddle to Robin van Persie.

Rooney was denied a promise of regular game time, but he was also denied the exit from United he desires.

And that was even before Moyes, with whom he has a strained relationship, was appointed manager.

Despite the apparent difficulties he will face in holding onto Rooney, it is believed that Moyes will attempt to do so, and that his pre-season agenda has convincing Rooney to stay as its first point.

Rooney is not for sale, but it is believed that United value him at £40 million. That price, as well as Rooney’s estimated £300,000 a week salary, complicates matters.

It means his suitors are limited to Europe’s elite, none of whom are openly in for him. It also means that offering Rooney a new contract to appease him is not something United are likely to do.

So if Moyes fails to build a bridge to Rooney, the chance remains that one of the best forwards in world football could be sold for a relatively cut-rate fee of up £25 million, simply to resolve an increasingly uncomfortable situation.