Written by Viorel Mesca
It is reported that Rooney’s decision is based on serious differences with Sir Alex Ferguson, and it seems that United has no other option but the sell the talismanic striker, possibly in the January transfer window, given that there are only 20 months left on his current contract.
There are many allegations to what is the reason behind Rooney’s decision. Some say that his relationship with Sir Alex suffered irreparable damage due to the players’ loss of form and tabloid stories about his private life. Others talk about a disagreement about the amount of money he expected to earn in a new contract. United had been willing to make him the highest earner at the club and the club’s chief executive, David Gill, had stated several times earlier in the year that the matter would be resolved as soon as Rooney was back from the World Cup. This could be just a strategy employed by the player and his agent to secure him a better contract.
Fans have nothing else to do, but wait and see which of there allegations become true. The fact is that it seems that Rooney has lost his place in the team. While Ferguson cited a supposed injury, the talismanic forward contradicted his manager’s version and made it clear he had not missed a single training session and was dropped for other reasons.
Another fact is that Sir Alex Ferguson has moved on another great footballer in 2003, David Beckham, and history could repeat itself so soon. It would be devastating for United fans if Rooney decides to leave, as the player has been dedicated to the club day and night.
Rooney has always said he has no desire to play abroad and would like to remain in Manchester for the rest of his career, but he could be forced to change his mind as he already attracted interest from Mourinho’s Real Madrid.
It is reported that the “Special One” is ready to use Karim Benzema as bait in a cash-plus-player deal to convince United to sell Rooney. Truth be told, Rooney would fit in perfectly into Mourinho’s plans.
Manchester City are also interested in United’s forward and despite the rivalry between the two clubs and Uefa’s desire to ban them from European competitions should they fail to bring down their wages, the Citizens will try to make an audacious move for him.
While United is desperately trying to keep the matter internal, Ferguson’s views on the subject are not relatively unknown, other than he is known to be alarmed and angry about the headlines surrounding the player due to his alleged relationship with a prostitute and most important his poor performances on the pitch.
Rooney has been in the worst form of his professional life for the last seven months, without a goal in since the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich in March. Yet, he remains a hero to United’s fans and is easily regarded as one of the greatest forwards in the club’s history.
Dear readers, have your say! Do you think Rooney will really leave United?
