Rooney’s not so fond farewell
And rubbing salt into the wounds of Alex Ferguson, Rooney has simultaneously managed to pay tribute to the manager and cast doubt on the club’s ability to continue to compete at the highest level.
While Ferguson said on Tuesday that he was “dumbfounded” by Rooney’s desire to leave and described his reasons as “inexplicable”, the player’s statement yesterday sought to portray himself as someone who only wanted the best for a club which, in his view, was no longer in a position to deliver the best.
“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.”
On Tuesday, the war of words between Ferguson and Rooney intensified when the manager, in an unprecedented move, used the occasion of a scheduled Champions League press conference to talk at length about the breakdown in the relationship between player and club.
Quick to respond yesterday, Rooney said: “I was interested to hear what Sir Alex had to say and surprised by some of it. 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.”
In what has clearly become a battle for the hearts and minds of United supporters, Rooney also responded head-on to Ferguson’s questioning of his respect for the club which bought him from Everton in 2004.
After Rooney had informed him he didn’t want to extend his contract, Ferguson claimed to have told the player: “The only thing I want from you is to respect the club’s traditions and behave like a proper professional and we will try to see it through. And, you know, I don’t know if he has done that.”
In yesterday’s statement – although not referring directly to that conversation – Rooney pointedly declared: “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 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.”
While the rest of the United squad was preparing for last night’s Champions League game against Bursaspor, Rooney attended the Bridgewater hospital in Manchester for a scan on his left ankle which had been injured – apparently as a result of a Paul Scholes tackle – in training on Tuesday.
The finality of Rooney’s statement yesterday would seem to render it inconceivable that, even if fully fit, he could ever play again for United. The only question now is where he will go next, with Manchester City the hot favourites to effect one of the most sensational transfer coups in the history of the game.
City boss Roberto Mancini has denied that there has already been contact between the club and Rooney and offered the usual diplomatic manager-speak when asked if he would be keen to bring him to Eastlands: “He is a United player. It’s not correct to speak about the situation.”
However, Rooney is now effectively a United player in name only, with the January transfer window merely the formalisation of his exit from Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, Rooney’s statement of intent to leave Old Trafford concluded with words of praise for his estranged manager.
“Despite recent difficulties, I know I will always owe Sir Alex Ferguson a huge debt,” he said. “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.”
Such a cosmetic vote of confidence will mean little to Alex Ferguson when his best player has already voted with his feet.
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