Rooney Wants To Leave United - Sir Alex Ferguson

Source: OUR REPORTER. - thewillnigeria.com
PHOTO: WAYNE ROONEY.
PHOTO: WAYNE ROONEY.

San Francisco, Oct 19, (THEWILL) – Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will leave Manchester United on or before the end of the season.


Rooney according to Manchester United Manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, called off contract negotiations with club’s chief executive, chief executive David Gill in August.


United had hoped to keep Rooney by having him sign a contract extension.


"David telephoned me and said he was on his way over because he had some bad news. His agent said he wouldn't sign his contract and wanted away. It was a shock. I couldn't believe it. In early discussions - in March I think - we had discussions with him, he intimated he wanted to stay, that he wanted a life contract with the club, that he was at the best club in the world. It was terribly disappointing to get the news,” said Ferguson.


"We couldn't understand it. We just don't know what's changed the boy's mind really. I had a meeting with him, and he intimated to me, in his own way, that he wanted to leave. We had a discussion about the whole situation. I said the only thing I want from you Wayne is to respect and honour the club's position and its traditions and behave like a proper professional and we will try and see it through,” he added.


"I don't know if he's done that. I've got doubts because we've had all these things about falling out with me and all this nonsense. It's disappointing. We've done everything we can to help Wayne Rooney since he's come to this club. I did say to him, as David Gill intimated, that there was an offer there if he was prepared to accept it. It was an offer that never got to any financial discussions. I know that David was prepared to offer him a contract that would be difficult to better elsewhere.


"That is what you do with top players. There is no big problem with that. We have been doing this kind of thing for quite a while now. Contract issues, over the last 10 years, have accelerated to a degree where they are quite phenomenal.

On Rooney’s injury, Ferguson said: "First of all, I must tell you, I have never had an argument with Wayne Rooney at any time. He got an ankle injury in the Rangers game. He was seen clearly hobbling at half-time. He confirmed it himself in an interview with Sky. My idea, based on the fact he wasn't playing that well, was to leave him out of the Sunderland game, make sure his ankle is properly prepared for the next game, and give him a 10 day recovery so he could play for England.


"My hope was that by playing for England at Wembley he could recapture his form and we could kick on. His entry into the mixed zone at Wembley has created that next stage that we have had to deal with, that is, that he wasn't injured. Why he came out and said that you can only guess yourself. It was disappointing.


"When you know a player's form is a little down... he has an injury. You do it to protect him. You don't want to humiliate him because you respect him. In a lot of cases over the year we have done that. When it came to the Sunderland game I felt by leaving him out to give him a complete rest to get fit I was hoping that would get his form back. I was disappointed because we know he was carrying an injury.


"We sent him for a scan, which showed a minor defect with an ankle injury, nothing serious, but he needed treatment, which he has had. There is no argument with that.


"We have to keep the door open for him, simply because he is such a good player. We have done nothing but help him since he came to the club. That is another mystery. I don't know how many times we have helped him in terms of his private life and other matters. He is not the only one who gets that privilege because Manchester United is that type of club. We do that for all players, it doesn't matter who it is. It is part of your job here. You look after your players.


"That creates a tremendous loyalty. It has always been a good foundation of our club," Ferguson added.


Additional reports courtesy of Premierleague.com.