I'll fight to the end to keep Rooney, says Moyes

David Moyes has revealed his struggle as he attempts to keep Wayne Rooney at Everton – and has also spoken of his frustration at what he believes to be a “witch hunt” against himself and the club.

The Goodison boss has revealed that he is in talks about giving the England striker the captaincy to keep him at Everton.

Moyes believes he is facing the biggest battle of his career in persuading Rooney to accept the £50,000-a-week deal which would make him Everton’s highest-paid player.

In an interview with The People, Moyes said: “Tell me why I should give up on the best young player in Europe?

“I will fight to the very end to keep him at Goodison – I’m certainly not going to give him up easily.”

Moyes has admitted that Rooney might be handed the captaincy to ensure he remains at Everton.

He continued: “It would be special for me if I could make Wayne captain of Everton. Maybe not now, but certainly by the time he is 20.

“That would be something special for Wayne and it would be special for me if I could give him that honour.

“Wayne is worshipped at Everton and when that happens at your boyhood club it’s a special, unique feeling.”

Although the former Preston manager has conceded that Rooney will eventually quit Everton, he hopes the youngster starts next season with the club.

Moyes explained: “If Wayne stays and we still can’t give Everton success, maybe at that point he would be well within his rights to say ‘I want to go’.

“But I think he should give it a chance and see if it can work.”

Moyes has also expressed his disappointment at being made to look uninterested in Rooney’s form at Euro 2004, which he believes has made him out to be the “bad guy”.

The Scot said: “I sent him a good luck text message before the game with France and another message straight after he got injured against Portugal.

“At times there’s almost been a witch hunt against me and the club and it’s baffled me. I am being made to be some sort of fall guy.”

The Everton boss is hoping for a big improvement after last season finished with the Toffeemen just one place above the relegation zone and a point shy of the infamous 40-point target all teams aim for at the start of the campaign.

Moyes described his second season in charge as “the worst I can remember” and admitted: “Whatever happens this summer I’m probably facing my biggest challenge as a manager next season.”