says speculation linking him with the vacant job at Burnley is a ‘compliment’, but he remains fully focused on Derby.
On Friday, the relegation-threatened Clarets relieved Sean Dyche of his duties after almost 10 years at the club.
Burnley are currently in 18th place in the Premier League table after 30 games played, four points adrift from safety.
The likes of Rooney and Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder have been linked with a move to Turf Moor to replace Dyche.
When quizzed on the Burnley rumours, Manchester United legend Rooney said: ‘I think it is a compliment to me and the staff, and what we have been trying to do here [at Derby], when you are getting linked with Premier League clubs.
‘I was surprised when I saw Sean Dyche had been sacked, he has been brilliant for Burnley for the last 10 years.
‘I have seen the links in various news articles but for me what is important is I focus on trying to keep the club [Derby] in this division and the future, my future, depends on this takeover, that needs to be completed.’
The sacking of Dyche has been met with surprise from fans and pundits, with former Chelsea and Blackburn striker Chris Sutton criticising the decision.
‘Burnley are idiotic sacking Sean Dyche,’ Sutton wrote on Twitter.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher also said on Twitter: ‘‘What a joke! If you had given him a decent budget you would never have had a worry about getting relegated.’
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