Rooney 'agrees five-year deal with United'

Wayne Rooney has agreed a new five-year contract to stay at Manchester United until at least June 2015, the club has confirmed.

The agreement follows intensive discussions between the club and the player’s representatives and means that by the end of his contract Rooney will have been a Manchester United player for 11 years.

Alex Ferguson 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."