Henry plays down Man City rumours

Barcelona striker Thierry Henry has played down rumours linking him with a transfer to English Premiership big spenders Manchester City.

Henry, who played for France in their 2-2 World Cup qualifier draw against Romania on Saturday, has long been tipped for a winter return to the English Premier League.

The France international joined Barca after an eight-year spell with Arsenal in a 24-million-euro deal in 2007, but has largely failed to make his mark.

He has also talked of his desire to see more of his daughter, who lives in London.

“One thing’s clear, you’ve got to stop going on about Manchester City and everything you’re saying,” Henry told reporters here on Sunday.

“I’ve played three matches in La Liga and I’ve scored two goals, so there we are. I missed two games because I was ill,” said the 31-year-old.

“I’m not here to talk about the choices of the coach (Pep Guardiola) and tell you what’s been said between us.”

Henry has started two games for Barca this season but insisted that Guardiola was employing a rotation policy throughout the squad.

“(Lionel) Messi has started twice on the bench, as has (Samuel) Eto’o while (Daniel) Alves wasn’t even in the last squad.

“The coach has a rotation policy but you stop when it’s me who rotates. Talk about everyone! When (Carlos) Pujol doesn’t play against Real Betis, when Alves is not in the squad, when Messi doesn’t play against Racing Santander, when Samuel doesn’t play against Espanyol… If you talk about it, talk about everyone.”