By Shaun Wares
Wayne Rooney this afternoon claimed that Man Utd’s lack of ambition is his primary reason for refusing to sign a new contract. With the story likely to twist and turn through the coming months, once again, the tight purse strings of United’s American owners have come back to bite the club.
After conversing at length over an improved contract with Chief Executive David Gill, Rooney finally gave his reasons for seeking a move elsewhere. The fact that Gill could not give him concrete assurances over future signings and targets was reason enough to turn down the chance to become United’s highest paid player. This may be of some consolation to fans of the club, proving that not all top footballers are motivated solely by financial gain.
United have made a stuttering start to the season, and Rooney himself has been out of sorts for club and country. Despite his undoubted passion, his form has suffered, perhaps as a consequence of stalling contract negotiations. Chelsea have built up a healthy lead at the top of the table, and United’s Manchester neighbours are also making positive strides through the top flight. United will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season, but even the most ardent United fans have started to become disillusioned with the team this season after their recent run of draws.
If Rooney does indeed move on, I would imagine that the continent would be the most likely destination. Both Beckham and Owen have had decent spells in La Liga over recent years, and perhaps the Liverpool lad will fancy his chances in arguably the best league in the world. A move to Madird or Barcelona would be a tempting prospect for any of the Premier League’s top players. A move to Chelsea or Man City seems unlikely. For all his ambition, Rooney will most likely want to chase silverware outside of the Premier League. Chelsea have begun to spend more prudently over recent seasons, whereas Mancini is already talking down the prospect of a January super-bid.
Tonight’s game sees United take on Turkish champions, Bursaspor, but with so much happening off the pitch, will the team be able to get the results on pitch? On most nights United would be strong favourites; but how long can the club rely on reputation, and the ability to strike fear into the hearts of lesser opponents? Bursaspor fans will be thanking their lucky stars that they are facing a club in such a poor run of form. United can take a long look at Liverpool; a club described by many as ‘in transition’, just a few short years of reaching the Champions League final. United will not want to be in the same position in two years, but spiralling debt, poor executive level management, and a distinct lack of quality signings in recent years, it is a prospect undoubtedly rearing its ugly head.
