Wayne Rooney signs 5 year contract at Manchester United
After a crazy week of speculation and doom-mongering around the club, Wayne Rooney has completed a dramatic u-turn and signed a 5 year contract with Manchester United.
Stretford-End.com appealed to Rooney earlier in the week to publicly decide one way or the other with a letter that got publicity from CNN and BBC, and he has admitted it is down to him to “win the fans back with his performances”.
In a statement on the official Manchester United website, Rooney said: “I’m delighted to sign another deal at United. In the last couple of days, I’ve talked to the Manager and the owners and they’ve convinced me this is where I belong. I said on Wednesday the Manager’s a genius and it’s his belief and support that have convinced me to stay.
“I’m signing a new deal in the absolute belief that the management, coaching staff, board and owners are totally committed to making sure United maintains its proud winning history – which is the reason I joined the Club in the first place.
“I’m sure the fans over the last week have felt let down by what they’ve read and seen. But my position was from concern over the future. The fans have been brilliant with me since I arrived and it’s up to me through my performances to win them over again.”
Sir Alex Ferguson had consistently claimed his priority was to get Rooney to stay, and said, “It’s been a difficult week, but the intensity of the coverage is what we expect at Manchester United. I said to the boy that the door is always open and I’m delighted Wayne has agreed to stay.
“Sometimes, when you’re in a club, it can be hard to realise just how big it is and it takes something like the events of the last few days to make you understand. I think Wayne now understands what a great club Manchester United is.
“I’m pleased he has accepted the challenge to guide the younger players and establish himself as one of United’s great players. It shows character and belief in what we stand for.
“I’m sure everyone involved with the Club will now get behind Wayne and show him the support he needs to produce the performances we know he is capable of.”
Rooney’s earlier concerns about the future of the club and his reference to that in his statement suggests that he has received assurances that the squad will receive significant investment. This will inevitably split opinion amongst supporters, some of who were already seeing Rooney’s refusal to sign as a reason to attack Sir Alex; regardless of this, the player himself has a lot to answer both on and off the pitch in the coming months.