Wayne Mark Rooney

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Wayne Mark Rooney (born 24 October 1985) is an English footballer who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team.

Aged 10, Rooney joined the youth team of Everton, making his professional debut in 2002. He spent two seasons at the Merseyside club, before moving to Manchester United for £25.6 million in the 2004 summer transfer window. Since then, he has won the Premier League three times, the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League and also two League Cups.

Rooney made his England debut in 2003 and, at UEFA Euro 2004, he briefly became the competition's youngest goalscorer. He is frequently selected for the England squad and also featured at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Rooney has also been awarded the PFA Players' Player of the Year and the FWA Footballer of the Year in 2009–10.

From Wikipedia

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Rooney waits for starting call

Wayne Rooney is facing an anxious wait to see if he is recalled into Manchester United action at the weekend.

United play West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

The striker could be on collision course with manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who said he was left out of his side's past two games against Valencia and Sunderland because of an ankle injury.

But when asked after England's 0-0 draw with Montenegro at Wembley in midweek if his ankle had caused any problems, Rooney replied: "No, I have had no ankle problems all season."

England physio Gary Lewin confirmed there was no issues regarding Rooney's fitness during his time with the national team.

Lewin told talkSport: "We are in communication with the clubs every day so we knew what was going on with Wayne.

"I can only speak about the seven days he was with England and he trained every day and was fit for the game.

"He had not played for Manchester United for two weeks before and what happened at United is between them and him. But when he arrived with us he was fit and available to play.

"Manchester United knew with the two weeks he had off and the treatment they were giving him that by the time he came to us he would be ready to train. And they were quite open with us about that."

Owen Hargreaves could be on the bench after a first team absence stretching back over two years.

He was struck down by an acute form of tendinitis in his knees, which he first experienced during his time at Bayern Munich.

Two operations and an extensive period of rehabilitation seemed to have put the 29-year-old back on track by the end of last season.

Yet Hargreaves's hopes of being fit for the start of this campaign were wrecked when he experienced more discomfort after his return to training.

He was dispatched back to Colorado by Ferguson for more work with Dr Richard Steadman.

Veteran winger Ryan Giggs is hoping to return against newly-promoted West Brom after a minor hamstring injury as United attempt to maintain their 100% record on home soil.

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[madristar]

Could Rooney leave Man United?

With just a year and a half left on his current deal there are fears Wayne Rooney could leave Manchester United.

The England star had originally agreed to an extension of his current deal during the summer, but according to reports from AS, no documents have been signed yet.

This is a result of new regulations set by the Glazers to only conclude negotiations within the last year of a player's current contract.

The 24-year-old striker has been plagued by poor form this season for the Red Devils as well as England, with Sir Alex Ferguson dropping him from the side in an attempt to shelter him from the media furore surrounding his private life.

Althought United are reported to have offered him a reported £140,000 a week to sign a new contract, the Glazer's policy, coupled with Rooney's off-field distractions, could prove to be the pushing point for Rooney to leave England for greener pastures.

There has already been noises from Real Madrid with interest for Rooney to link-up with ex-United winger Cristiano Ronaldo at the Santiago Bernebeu, and the longer Rooney takes to sign a new contract at Old Trafford, the higher the possibility that another club could swoop in to lure his affections away from England.

There has already been reports of some tension between manager and player at United, with Rooney apparently knocking back suggestions from Ferguson that he was struggling with an ankle injury.

When asked if his ankle had caused any problems, Rooney replied: "No, I've had no ankle problem all season."

"I felt sharp," Rooney told Sky Sports News.

He repeated his denial when asked the question for a second time.

Then when asked "Why did Alex Ferguson say you had?", Rooney replied: "I don't know."

His comments are unlikely to go down well with his United manager, who could have been plausibly trying to defend his recent poor form, and Ferguson has a history of letting players with personal distractions off-the-pitch leave Old Trafford, most notably David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.

[madristar]

Could Rooney leave Man United?

With just a year and a half left on his current deal there are fears Wayne Rooney could leave Manchester United.

The England star had originally agreed to an extension of his current deal during the summer, but according to reports from AS, no documents have been signed yet.

This is a result of new regulations set by the Glazers to only conclude negotiations within the last year of a player's current contract.

The 24-year-old striker has been plagued by poor form this season for the Red Devils as well as England, with Sir Alex Ferguson dropping him from the side in an attempt to shelter him from the media furore surrounding his private life.

Althought United are reported to have offered him a reported £140,000 a week to sign a new contract, the Glazer's policy, coupled with Rooney's off-field distractions, could prove to be the pushing point for Rooney to leave England for greener pastures.

There has already been noises from Real Madrid with interest for Rooney to link-up with ex-United winger Cristiano Ronaldo at the Santiago Bernebeu, and the longer Rooney takes to sign a new contract at Old Trafford, the higher the possibility that another club could swoop in to lure his affections away from England.

There has already been reports of some tension between manager and player at United, with Rooney apparently knocking back suggestions from Ferguson that he was struggling with an ankle injury.

When asked if his ankle had caused any problems, Rooney replied: "No, I've had no ankle problem all season."

"I felt sharp," Rooney told Sky Sports News.

He repeated his denial when asked the question for a second time.

Then when asked "Why did Alex Ferguson say you had?", Rooney replied: "I don't know."

His comments are unlikely to go down well with his United manager, who could have been plausibly trying to defend his recent poor form, and Ferguson has a history of letting players with personal distractions off-the-pitch leave Old Trafford, most notably David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.

[madristar]

No Rooney sale despite United losses

Manchester United chief executive David Gill insists there is no pressure to sell despite the club making losses of £83.6million.

Gill said the club would still prefer to have "Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch than £80million in the bank" as proof of their desire to keep players.

Although United's group operating profit topped £100.7million, after player-related costs, interest payments and a number of expensive one-off costs related to the bond issue, overall there was a record loss for the club.

Gill said the accounts released today were "very good" with excellent revenues, and said there should be no concern about United going down the same road as Liverpool, whose American co-owners have struggled to finance their ownership.

The United chief executive did admit the figures could be confusing to fans who saw a record turnover of £286million for the year ending June 2010 contrasting with the record losses of £83.6million.

For the previous year the club had returned a net profit of £48.2million thanks to the sale of Ronaldo, but Gill said the Glazer family who own United had not pushed for that move, nor would they for any other player. He added that United's balance sheet includes £165million remaining in the bank if Sir Alex Ferguson wants to buy new players.

In an interview with Press Association Sport, Gill said: "We are not a club that needs to sell. We have money in the bank so there is zero pressure on that, no pressure at all to sell any star player whether it is Wayne Rooney or X,Y or Z. I can categorically say that.

"There was no desire at all from anyone at the club to sell Cristiano - he wanted to go and as a result we managed to extract a world record fee.

"These philosophy is to retain and attract the best players. We have £165million in the bank but in some ways we would prefer to have £80million in the bank and Ronaldo on the pitch."

Gill said part of the losses related to one-off payments after bank loans were turned into a bond, totalling £47million. He added that if 'goodwill' losses - an accounting practice relating to the original takeover - of £35.2million, and foreign exchange losses of £19million (which should be recovered next year) and depreciation are ignored, United would have an actual profit of about £25million.

Gill added: "There are very good results for the club with records here, there and everywhere but they are complicated with non-cash items and exceptional one-off hits."

Fans' group have raised concerns that there could be parallels with the Liverpool crisis, where the holding company may be forced into administration next week over unpaid debts following a leveraged takeover, and the Glazer ownership of United.

Gill however insisted that was not the case.

He added: "I can't speak for any other club but the United fans should not be concerned, we have a long-term financing structure in place, excellent revenues that are growing, we are controlling our costs - total wages are 46% of turnover - and we can afford the interest on our long-term finance.

"In our opinion if something changed in the ownership this club will survive and continue - it is covering the financing cost more than adequately.

"We still have cash to invest in players and to give good contracts to players and we are comfortable with the business model."

The figures show that United's wage bill rose by 7% to £131.7million, while United's overall debt rose to £521.7million.

It may also appease some critics that according to the figures, the Glazers have not taken any money out of the club to pay any of their £200million-worth of PIK notes that are now attracting interest at 16.25%.

Gill added: "They have retained that money in the bank and it's there for Sir Alex if he needs it for players, and for investing in the training ground and the stadium."

United are confident that they will meet UEFA's financial fair play rules despite the figures because not all the paper losses - such as depreciation - are included by UEFA when they calculate whether clubs are only spending what they earn.

Sports business expert Simon Chadwick said it was important United won major trophies soon to maintain their brand and commercial success.

Chadwick, professor of sports business at Coventry University, said: "They have continued to build the revenue streams which are good for them.

"But last season they were not particularly successful on the pitch. They probably need more success domestically and to get to the semi-finals of the Champions League, firstly as a revenue source but secondly in terms of the brand."

The Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST) claimed the results showed the clock was ticking for the Glazer family and the club, and highlighted how well off United would be without the interest payments.

A MUST spokesman said: "The financial results today continue to demonstrate the tremendous revenue generated by Manchester United - directly or indirectly through the unparalleled loyal support the club receives. Sadly those supporters are let down by owners who continue to extract millions from our club. Imagine how successful we could be without the millstone that is the Glazers' ownership.

"Under a supporter ownership model, or even the debt-free plc model prior to the Glazers takeover, this huge revenue stream could largely be reinvested in the football club (squad, stadium, ticket prices) rather than being leached out by the Glazers."

MUST claimed the club was now "extremely vulnerable" if there was any fall in revenue.

The MUST spokesman added: "With greater competition domestically it is going to become increasingly expensive just to maintain a place in the Champions League and the huge debt burden makes the club extremely vulnerable to any dip in revenues such as that which might be triggered by a decline in on-the-pitch performance.

"When Sir Alex retires the chances of maintaining anything like the same level of success look remote without massive investment. So the clock is ticking for the Glazers - and for the supporters too."

[madristar]

No Rooney sale despite United losses

Manchester United chief executive David Gill insists there is no pressure to sell despite the club making losses of £83.6million.

Gill said the club would still prefer to have "Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch than £80million in the bank" as proof of their desire to keep players.

Although United's group operating profit topped £100.7million, after player-related costs, interest payments and a number of expensive one-off costs related to the bond issue, overall there was a record loss for the club.

Gill said the accounts released today were "very good" with excellent revenues, and said there should be no concern about United going down the same road as Liverpool, whose American co-owners have struggled to finance their ownership.

The United chief executive did admit the figures could be confusing to fans who saw a record turnover of £286million for the year ending June 2010 contrasting with the record losses of £83.6million.

For the previous year the club had returned a net profit of £48.2million thanks to the sale of Ronaldo, but Gill said the Glazer family who own United had not pushed for that move, nor would they for any other player. He added that United's balance sheet includes £165million remaining in the bank if Sir Alex Ferguson wants to buy new players.

In an interview with Press Association Sport, Gill said: "We are not a club that needs to sell. We have money in the bank so there is zero pressure on that, no pressure at all to sell any star player whether it is Wayne Rooney or X,Y or Z. I can categorically say that.

"There was no desire at all from anyone at the club to sell Cristiano - he wanted to go and as a result we managed to extract a world record fee.

"These philosophy is to retain and attract the best players. We have £165million in the bank but in some ways we would prefer to have £80million in the bank and Ronaldo on the pitch."

Gill said part of the losses related to one-off payments after bank loans were turned into a bond, totalling £47million. He added that if 'goodwill' losses - an accounting practice relating to the original takeover - of £35.2million, and foreign exchange losses of £19million (which should be recovered next year) and depreciation are ignored, United would have an actual profit of about £25million.

Gill added: "There are very good results for the club with records here, there and everywhere but they are complicated with non-cash items and exceptional one-off hits."

Fans' group have raised concerns that there could be parallels with the Liverpool crisis, where the holding company may be forced into administration next week over unpaid debts following a leveraged takeover, and the Glazer ownership of United.

Gill however insisted that was not the case.

He added: "I can't speak for any other club but the United fans should not be concerned, we have a long-term financing structure in place, excellent revenues that are growing, we are controlling our costs - total wages are 46% of turnover - and we can afford the interest on our long-term finance.

"In our opinion if something changed in the ownership this club will survive and continue - it is covering the financing cost more than adequately.

"We still have cash to invest in players and to give good contracts to players and we are comfortable with the business model."

The figures show that United's wage bill rose by 7% to £131.7million, while United's overall debt rose to £521.7million.

It may also appease some critics that according to the figures, the Glazers have not taken any money out of the club to pay any of their £200million-worth of PIK notes that are now attracting interest at 16.25%.

Gill added: "They have retained that money in the bank and it's there for Sir Alex if he needs it for players, and for investing in the training ground and the stadium."

United are confident that they will meet UEFA's financial fair play rules despite the figures because not all the paper losses - such as depreciation - are included by UEFA when they calculate whether clubs are only spending what they earn.

Sports business expert Simon Chadwick said it was important United won major trophies soon to maintain their brand and commercial success.

Chadwick, professor of sports business at Coventry University, said: "They have continued to build the revenue streams which are good for them.

"But last season they were not particularly successful on the pitch. They probably need more success domestically and to get to the semi-finals of the Champions League, firstly as a revenue source but secondly in terms of the brand."

The Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST) claimed the results showed the clock was ticking for the Glazer family and the club, and highlighted how well off United would be without the interest payments.

A MUST spokesman said: "The financial results today continue to demonstrate the tremendous revenue generated by Manchester United - directly or indirectly through the unparalleled loyal support the club receives. Sadly those supporters are let down by owners who continue to extract millions from our club. Imagine how successful we could be without the millstone that is the Glazers' ownership.

"Under a supporter ownership model, or even the debt-free plc model prior to the Glazers takeover, this huge revenue stream could largely be reinvested in the football club (squad, stadium, ticket prices) rather than being leached out by the Glazers."

MUST claimed the club was now "extremely vulnerable" if there was any fall in revenue.

The MUST spokesman added: "With greater competition domestically it is going to become increasingly expensive just to maintain a place in the Champions League and the huge debt burden makes the club extremely vulnerable to any dip in revenues such as that which might be triggered by a decline in on-the-pitch performance.

"When Sir Alex retires the chances of maintaining anything like the same level of success look remote without massive investment. So the clock is ticking for the Glazers - and for the supporters too."

[madristar]

"United need Rooney, not Fergie"

Sir Alex Ferguson, not Wayne Rooney, should be the one to leave Manchester United, former United boss Tommy Docherty said.

The relationship between Ferguson and his star striker has been under siege over these few weeks after Rooney publicly contradicted him by insisting he has been fit and injury-free all season.

The pair also previously clashed over recent lurid tales of the striker's meetings with prostitutes and the subsequent decision to leave him out of United's team.

These series of row have led to talks of Ferguson possibly offloading Rooney from Old Trafford.

But Docherty who managed United from 1972 to 1977, feels the side can do without Ferguson, but not their star striker.

"United need Rooney more than they need Fergie," the 82-year-old was quoted as saying in the Daily Mirror.

"If anyone has got to go it should be Fergie."

Over the years, high profile players who challenged the authority of Ferguson have found themselves out of the club as the Scot is known to have zero-tolerance over that.

Players who had their United career cut-short by the Scot include the likes of David Beckham, Ruud van Nisterooy, Jaap Stam and Roy Keane.

But Docherty is adamant it is time for the reverse on this occasion as Rooney offers greater long-term value than Ferguson.

"We've seen this in the past at United but they must ask themselves who is more valuable to them, Rooney or Fergie? The answer has to be Rooney.

"He's not yet 25. He's got another 10 years in him. Fergie's been great but he's got to be on borrowed time.

"The fans come to see Rooney, not the manager.

"Rooney is even more important now Cristiano Ronaldo has been sold.

"They might well sell Rooney if they are offered another £80m. But that Ronaldo cash is still in the bank. They need players on the pitch and they just can't afford to lose Rooney."

The departure of Rooney will undoubtedly incur great damage to United's hopes of silverware this season as the 24-year-old has almost single-handedly carried the club up front following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.

[madristar]

Rooney: No problems with fitness

Wayne Rooney insists he has no problem with his fitness despite a subdued display in England's draw with Montenegro.

Rooney last night looked a shadow of the player who helped put Bulgaria and Switzerland to the sword just a month earlier as England failed to score in a game at the new Wembley for the first time.

The 24-year-old was playing his first match for more than a fortnight after missing Manchester United's Champions League win in Valencia and Barclays Premier League draw at Sunderland. Rooney's form has dipped since unsavoury allegations about his private life emerged in the wake of the Bulgaria win.

But his omission from United's recent games was down to an ankle injury, which manager Sir Alex Ferguson did not want to aggravate, despite the striker continuing to train.

Rooney said: "I've been training for the last two months where I haven't missed a training session, so I have no problems with my fitness."

Rooney, who passed up two good chances to spare England's blushes last night, added: "I felt sharp, had a couple of chances; maybe with the first I could have done better but the keeper made a good save with the second one."

Rooney echoed his team-mates in questioning the performance of German referee Manuel Grafe, accusing the official of giving England's players "no protection whatsoever".

Ashley Young was the victim of several poor tackles while in full flight last night, although he sullied his own reputation when he was booked for diving in the area.

A second penalty incident appeared to go against England, however, when the ball struck Milan Jovanovic's arm.

"From where I was, I thought it was a definite handball," Rooney said.

"I don't think the ref did us any favours. We, as players, felt there was no protection whatsoever.

"But these are things you have to deal with."

Despite the controversy, England really only had themselves to blame for their run of 11 straight Wembley wins coming to an end as Montenegro's game plan paid off.

"They had a lot of men behind the ball and they were well organised," said Rooney, who was twice thwarted by goalkeeper Mladen Bozovic.

"Maybe we should have done better - I thought the keeper played well."

And despite the result, which left England three points behind their opponents and Group G leaders, Rooney was determined to look on the bright side.

He said: "It's a bonus we never got beaten. They had a shot at the end that nearly went in.

"We're still unbeaten in the group, so at least that's a positive.

"It wasn't bad as a draw. We deserved to win.

"I'm sure in the next game against Wales we can put in a good performance and hopefully get the three points."

Team-mate Gareth Barry, who was also guilty of a below-par display, admitted a group England had looked set to run away with was now beginning to look competitive.

"Yeah, it does make it a lot harder," he said.

"If we'd have obviously got the three points, we would have been sitting very nicely in the league.

"But seven points from the first three, it's not the end of the world.

"It's still in our own hands, so we're still confident we can top the group."

England face a wait of more than five months before being able to do that.

"That's the frustrating thing," Barry added.

"It's a long time now before another qualifying game.

"We want to get back to business and try to push ourselves to the top of the league."

[madristar]

"Rooney must look after number one"

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has advised Wayne Rooney to make sure he puts his own interests first.

The England striker's future at Old Trafford has been thrown into doubt this week after he contradicted manager Sir Alex Ferguson on an injury issue, and Press Association Sport understands Rooney will not sign a new contract.

With his current deal set to run out in the summer of 2012, there is speculation the 24-year-old could be sold as early as January.

Ipswich manager Keane, who ended a 12-year stint with United in 2005 after a spat with Ferguson, said on dailymail.co.uk: "Players and managers fall out all the time. It's part of life.

"If I was to offer advice to Wayne, who is a good lad, I would tell him to make sure he looks after number one.

"Players are pieces of meat - that's how I look at it. When your time's up, your time's up.

"Luckily for Wayne he's at a good age and he's fit."

Along with Keane, David Beckham and Jaap Stam are other players who have left Old Trafford after falling foul of Ferguson, but the 39-year-old Ipswich boss does not believe that result is inevitable with Rooney.

"It depends on the situation and whether you have been lied to or not," he said. "But, as usual, we are second guessing what has gone on at the club, which is dangerous."

[madristar]

Rooney plans to leave Man United

In a shocking turn of events, Wayne Rooney has indicated he has no intention to sign a new contract at Manchester United.

There has been much speculation about the reasons for the England star's delay in signing an extension to his current contract at Old Trafford, especially given that it runs out at the end of the next season, and the latest reports according to the Guardian indicate that he intends to leave Manchester United.

The reports also reveal that his decision is based on frustration with Sir Alex Ferguson, and this new turn of events will leave fans in the Theatre of Dreams shell-shocked.

The two have previously had a good relationship, but with Rooney's recent travails in the public eye because of allegations about his personal life, coupled with his decidedly poor performances of late, the United manager has been taking a hard-line stance with Rooney, leaving him out of games as well as making excuses for his performance.

Although United's response to speculation that the 24-year-old striker was going to be sold in January was to label it "nonsense", it appears there is rather more substance to the stories than the Old Trafford faithful would want.

Rooney appeared to make a direct challenge to Ferguson's authority on Tuesday after England's Euro 2012 qualifier with Montenegro, when he went out of his way to contradict the Scot's claim that he has been suffering from an ankle injury.

It leaves Ferguson with a dilemma.

He does have the option of playing hardball with Rooney and keeping the former Everton star at Old Trafford, in the hope he changes his mind.

On the other hand, if Rooney does succeed in forcing a move from Old Trafford, Ferguson will have to identify a successor - Fernando Torres' name has been mentioned even if that move from Liverpool would seem very dubious - but decide what to do with Rooney in the interim.

Ferguson has so far avoided any meaningful public discussion about Rooney's situation but appeared to deliver his own verdict when he left the forward out of his starting line-up for Saturday's Premier League encounter with West Brom, then brought him on as a substitute with 19 minutes remaining and told him to play on the left wing.

Next up are Turkish champions Bursaspor in the Champions League at Old Trafford on Wednesday, when Rooney would ordinarily be looking at scoring his first goal in open play for United this season.

This can no longer be guaranteed given his relationship with Ferguson is now badly fractured as a result of the revelations about his private life, to which the United boss has not taken too kindly.

Ferguson does have Dimitar Berbatov, Javier Hernandez and Michael Owen - who missed Saturday's game with a calf injury - to call upon, but having kept his counsel on Rooney since the player's declaration at Wembley last week, his next move is awaited with interest.

With vultures like Real Madrid and Barcelona from Spain circling, United's hierarchy could find themselves arm-twisted to sell during the January transfer window, rather than have Rooney's markey value plunge with his contract a mere 20 months from expiring.

What could make things worse for United fans though, is the fact that he could very well join Carlos Tevez in crossing over to the Blue end of Manchester and joining the Citizens, as he has said that playing overseas holds no interest for him.

Amongst the top clubs, Manchester City are the only ones who can afford the kind of transfer fee as well as salary he would expect, and it would not be unexpected for the oil sheiks to thump up another 100 million euros to ensure that they get another marquee player.

The only reservation to that end would be the fact that their wage structure is already terribly inflated, and with UEFA financial fair-play rules coming into effect soon, adding Rooney to the mix could leave them banned from European competition.

[madristar]

Rooney: Yes, I want to leave United

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has confirmed he wants to leave the club.

Rooney has released a statement in response to Sir Alex Ferguson's comments on Tuesday. And in it, he confirms he wants to leave Old Trafford.

"I met with David Gill last week and he did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad," said Rooney.

"I then told him that I would not be signing a new contract."

Rooney will hope his comments take away the stigma of greed which Ferguson raised with his own devastating attack.

They will certainly strike a chord with those United fans opposed to the Glazer regime, who have constantly campaigned against the huge levels of debt the Americans incurred with their hugely leveraged buyout.

Less than two weeks ago, United announced losses of £83.6million, from a record operating profit of £100million.

Yet these were written off by Gill, who emphasised the club's healthy bank balance, which is in excess of £165million.

The problem for United's anti-Glazer faction - and now Rooney it seems - is that the money remains unspent at a time when United are haemorrhaging star players.

Although both Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez departed in the summer of 2009, United failed to attract world-class replacements.

The Manchester United Supporters Trust view the obstacle as being a £526million bond, and payment-in-kind notes of over £220million levied against the family themselves and attracting interest at a high rate of 16.25%.

Instead Ferguson brought in Michael Owen on a free transfer and Gabriel Obertan on a modest fee from Bordeaux to supplement Antonio Valencia, who arrived for £17million from Wigan.

United's top target - Karim Benzema - went to Real Madrid instead, with Ferguson left to make the first of numerous claims that there was "no value in the market".

When it was anticipated Ferguson would make major signings this summer following the loss of his side's Premier League title, the Red Devils again limited their spending.

Javier Hernandez has made a decent impact following his arrival from Mexican outfit Chivas but England Under-21 international Chris Smalling has been purchased with an eye to the future, whilst winger Bebe has made just two substitute appearances since his shock £7million capture from Vitoria Guimaraes.

Various big names were linked with United, including German World Cup star Mesut Ozil, who like Benzema and Ronaldo, ended up at Real Madrid.

At the same time, nearby Manchester City were recruiting one-time United target Yaya Toure - on wages estimated to be around £200,000-a-week, twice Rooney's current salary - and Mario Balotelli.

Rooney was left to conclude that United were no longer the club to be at, especially as Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Edwin van der Sar and Gary Neville are all nearing the end of their careers.

The same is also true of Ferguson, who will celebrate his 69th birthday on New Years' Eve.

Now the Scot is left to contemplate picking up the wreckage from a quite disastrous week in terms of morale, knowing his star player will almost certainly leave in January, with no obvious replacement in sight and major questions now being asked about the capability of the club to bring in star names.

The one sliver of comfort for Ferguson is that Rooney has used this opportunity to dispel once and for all, the claim that he no longer respects his boss.

He remains a big fan of the United boss but says the future direction of the club was causing him concern.

"I was interested to hear what Sir Alex had to say yesterday and surprised by some of it," continued Rooney.

"It is absolutely true, as he said, that my agent and I have had a number of meetings with the club about a new contract. During those meetings in August I asked for assurances about the continued ability of the club to attract the top players in the world.

"I have never had anything but complete respect for MUFC. How could I not have done given its fantastic history and especially the last six years in which I have been lucky to play a part?

"For me its all about winning trophies - as the club has always done under Sir Alex. Because of that I think the questions I was asking were justified.

"Despite recent difficulties, I know I will always owe Sir Alex Ferguson a huge debt. He is a great manager and mentor who has helped and supported me from the day he signed me from Everton when I was only 18.

"For Manchester United's sake I wish he could go on forever because he's a one off and a genius."

[madristar]

Carrick: Forget about Rooney

Michael Carrick is warning his Manchester United teammates not to get sidetracked by the furore surrounding Wayne Rooney.

As Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill meet to work out the official response to a forceful attack on the club's recruitment policy, which Rooney outlined in a statement on Wednesday, preparations are already beginning for Sunday's Premier League trip to Stoke.

And after recording a narrow Champions League win over Bursaspor, Carrick knows the seismic events off the field cannot deflect his team-mates' focus now.

"You have to distance yourself from it," he said. "You have no choice.

"Obviously, the player and the club are huge, not just in England but around the world. It is big news.

"But we can only control what happens out on the pitch. That is all we can be focussed on."

Carrick has not spoken to Rooney - a teammate for both club and country - since it became apparent the striker no longer wishes to remain at Old Trafford.

The midfielder acknowledges it is hardly his place to get involved in what has turned into a personal PR battle between Ferguson and Rooney.

However, he did concede the row had a strange effect on the crowd, even if it didn't alter the eventual outcome.

"It was a funny atmosphere," he said.

"But we had a job to do. We needed to get a result that would put us in a better position for the group.

"Nothing changed in that respect.

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Wenger: Rooney should stay at United

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger expects Wayne Rooney to remain with Manchester United despite reports the player's is set to leave.

The 24-year-old England striker is being linked with a move to Real Madrid or Manchester City after it was reported his relationship with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had turned sour.

Wenger, however, believes too much has been made of Ferguson's decision to leave Rooney out of his starting line-up for the Barclays Premier League match against West Brom on Saturday and cannot see the former Everton man moving on.

Quoted in the Daily Star, Wenger said: "Rooney is a great player. I am convinced he will stay at Manchester United because it is his club.

"They have the power to keep him. When you give a great player a rest, you have a story. Rooney is Rooney. He will stay where he is."

Rooney's existing United contract expires in 2012 and Wenger added: "I am surprised his contract has been allowed to run.

"But, basically, I don't know why. It can happen many times.

"What I know for players like Rooney today only three or four clubs can buy him. For Rooney, it will not be a financial choice.

"He will decide if he stays. He would say, 'Old Trafford is my home, I will stay there'. And Manchester United would turn up with the right number. He knows that. They know that."

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Rooney trains as storm clouds gather

The heavy rain clouds at Carrington provided a fitting backdrop to Wayne Rooney's appearance at training.

Rooney has been the subject of intense speculation for 48 hours since news of his desire to leave the Red Devils first became a matter of public conjecture.

Since then it has been made apparent that Rooney will not sign a contract extension once his current one expires in 2012 and that Manchester City could be a destination for the striker, who celebrates his 25th birthday on Saturday.

Sir Alex Ferguson's press conference ahead of United's Champions League clash with Bursaspor, which is due to be held this afternoon, is likely to offer the first public pronouncement on the situation.

In the meantime, Rooney went through his paces at Carrington wearing a black hat to keep his head dry but otherwise joining in as normal with the training ground banter that tends to mark such sessions.

Should United decide to sell, the list of clubs who could realistically afford Rooney is pretty short.

Barcelona are said to be trying to trim back their outgoings, while their bitter rivals Real Madrid invested heavily this summer.

Italy is not exactly awash with money, whilst Bayern Munich spent considerable amounts last summer building a squad to suit Louis van Gaal, while in England, only Chelsea or City would stump up the wages required to secure the forward's services.

The mere mention of City's name will send a shudder through most United supporters, who acknowledge what a positive impact Carlos Tevez has had since his own move across town to Eastlands.

At a time when they appear vulnerable after registering five draws in their opening eight games, United would resist that move with vigour.

Yet Rooney has apparently indicated a willingness to join the cash-rich Eastlands outfit, for whom money is no object.

Having stirred up a heap of controversy last season by declaring an interest in Liverpool's Fernando Torres and reaped the rewards of Tevez's motivation to wreak havoc on his old club, Blues boss Roberto Mancini is hardly likely to shy away from such a deal.

There has been some conjecture that Rooney's advisors have come up with an elaborate plan to try and force more money out of United, having been unimpressed with a contract offer that was due to be negotiated immediately after his post-World Cup break.

But Rooney's grievances appear genuine and deep-rooted, possibly extending beyond the manner with which Ferguson has dealt with the issues over his player's personal life.

The United manager is thought to be unimpressed at Rooney's behaviour, just as the player is thought to be not too pleased at his club's recent recruitment policy.

And while skipper Nemanja Vidic can do nothing to affect the Rooney situation, he knows a great deal of improvement is required following a spate of needless draws.

"We have to find the balance between attack and defence," he said.

"I definitely feel we have it in us and I am sure it will come.

"It is about the whole team. You feel better when you are winning and scoring goals. When you keep a clean sheet you have more belief and confidence.

"That is what will help us to improve."