José Mourinho, the Chelsea manager, has refused to rule out a move for Manchester United's Wayne Rooney, describing him as a "fast and direct" footballer who he likes very much.

Mourinho, talking in Bangkok after Chelsea had arrived for their pre-season tour, tried to play down discussion about whether the unsettled Rooney would move from Old Trafford to Stamford Bridge this summer.

"It's a funny, tricky question from an ethical point of view as I can't talk about players from other teams," Mourinho said.

"But it is not my character to speak with hypocrisy, I always tell what I see. He's a player that I like very much. Being fast and direct I like him very much, but he's a Manchester United player."

Rooney flew home from United's own tour, which also started in Bangkok, after a scan revealed a hamstring tear on Thursday.