Premier League News: Wayne Rooney confirms that he wants to leave Manchester United
Wayne Rooney has finally confirmed that he intends to leave Manchester United. The striker has cited the uncertainty of the club’s future as his reason for parting ways.
The current contract for Rooney runs till the end of 2012 season, but he said that he had spoken to the club’s Chief Executive David Gill and told him about his reservations earlier.
A statement issued from Rooney’s part said that Gill did not give him any assurances about the future of the club, and the strengthening of the squad that he was actually looking for.
Rooney also said that he was surprised about some of the comments made by his boss Sir Alex Ferguson on Tuesday.
Sir Alex had said that his club’s Chief Executive David Gill had informed him of Rooney’s decision back in August and that Wayne was not willing to sign a contract extension. Ferguson went on to say that he was simply in a state
of shock and very disappointed that Rooney had decided to leave Manchester United.
Wayne Rooney issued a statement on Wednesday, in which he said that he was waiting to hear what Sir Alex had to say about his decision. He added that some of the comments were truly surprising.
Rooney said that he has always had complete and utter respect for the club, and he knows all about the legacy and history of the club.
"I have never had anything but complete respect for the club. 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 it's 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,” said Rooney.
The former Everton striker said that regardless of the recent problems, he would always be in debt to Sir Alex. He added that Ferguson has always been there to help and support him in all aspects from the day he signed him.
Wayne Rooney has been linked with a move to Real Madrid or the cash rich Manchester City, but that would have to wait till January. For now, Rooney has made it clear that his decision was purely based on the lack
of ability of the club to bring in world class players, and he was not satisfied with the future plans at Old Trafford.
Wayne went on to say that as Ferguson had mentioned, he had number of meetings with the club management alongside his agent regarding the new contract.
The English striker reiterated that in all those meetings, he asked the board for assurances that the club would bring in big players, but he was never satisfied with the answers he got.
Wayne Rooney was signed by Sir Alex back in 2004 soon after the Euro 2004 Championships. He was brought in for a sum of 25.6 million pounds. Since then, Wayne Rooney has become an integral part of Manchester United and has become
the essence of what the club stands for. That is why his decision to leave the club has both football pundits and fans in total grief and disbelief.
Sir Alex has always maintained that no player is bigger than the club and has believed in taking the strict approach in not backing down against player power. He did the same when he sold David Beckham and Jaap Stam, and also let
go of Roy Keane. However, when Ferguson spoke to the media about Rooney’s decision to leave, he was close to tears, and did say that the door is still open. However, Rooney may have already put one foot outside that open door, and there may be no turning back
for him.
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