Rooney apologises after contract row

Alex Ferguson has revealed Wayne Rooney has apologised after ending a turbulent few days by agreeing a five-year contract with Manchester United.

The announcement was made by the Old Trafford club this lunchtime, ending one of the most amazing weeks in their history, which started with hints at unrest and included Rooney’s own concerns about the direction United were heading in.

“Wayne has apologised to me and the players,” Ferguson told Key103. “He will also do so with the supporters.”

The statement came at the end of a staggering 24-hour period, which involved meetings between Ferguson, chief executive David Gill, Rooney and his trusted advisor Paul Stretford, plus the Glazer family.

Irate supporters gathered at Rooney’s house in Prestbury last night to express their concern, only to discover the 24-year-old is now set to stay at Old Trafford.

“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,” said Ferguson. “I think Wayne now understands what a great club Manchester United is.”

It barely seemed credible such a position could be arrived at so quickly, but the conciliatory nature of a holding statement from United last night suggested rapprochement was in the offing.

And, after consultation with the owners, who allayed his fears about the future direction of United, Rooney agreed to extend his contract, which will now expire in 2015.

“It’s been a difficult week, but the intensity of the coverage is what we expect at Manchester United,” said Ferguson.

“I said to the boy that the door is always open and I am delighted Wayne has agreed to stay. I am 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 am 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 recognises damage has been done, possibly inside the dressing room and certainly with the fans who have regarded him as one of their own since he first arrived from Everton in 2004.

He also understands the need to improve his form, which has suffered so badly since he sustained an ankle injury against Bayern Munich in March, the last time he scored a goal for his club in open play.

“I am delighted to sign another deal at United,” he said.

“In the last couple of days, I have talked to the manager and the owners and they have convinced me this is where I belong.

“I said on Wednesday the manager is a genius and it is his belief and support that have convinced me to stay.

“I am 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 am sure the fans over the last week have felt let down by what they have 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.”

What they said this week:

“To suggest Wayne Rooney will be sold in January is nonsense” – a United spokesman on Sunday, October 17.

“I was in the office on August 14 and David (Gill, chief executive) phoned me to say (Rooney) wasn’t signing a contract. I was dumbfounded. Only months before he was saying he was at the greatest club in the world. I asked to have a meeting with the boy. He reiterated what his agent said, that he wanted to go” - United manager Sir Alex Ferguson on Tuesday, October 19.

“I believe he is going to stay. But if at the end of the day Manchester United decide that he is to leave, then give me a call” – Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho on Tuesday, October 19.

“I met with David Gill last week and he did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad. I then told him that I would not be signing a new contract. Despite recent difficulties, I know I will always owe Sir Alex Ferguson a huge debt. For Manchester United’s sake I wish he could go on forever because he’s a one off and a genius” – Rooney, in a statement issued on Wednesday, October 20.

“If there was a possibility of Wayne Rooney staying at Manchester United that has certainly ended after tonight’s statement prior to an important Champions League game. No player has ever had the right to question and seek assurances about the current and future Manchester United squad, no matter their talent and let’s be honest, there have been far more talented players in the history of Manchester United” – former United keeper Paddy Crerand on Wednesday, October 20.

“We don’t want it to become a saga. We have the team to consider. We will put it to bed tomorrow” – Ferguson, speaking after Wednesday’s Champions League win over Bursaspor.

“Sometimes you look in a field and see a cow. You think it is a better cow than the one you see in your field. It never really works out that way - Ferguson turns agricultural in his criticism of Rooney.

“You cannot have a Bosman ruling they’ve got at the moment. Manchester United have helped Wayne Rooney’s career massively on and off the field. The manager, the club itself has invested in him. They bought him for massive amounts of money as a young man and they’re helping him blossom into the player that he is. And if he sees his contract out he’s going to be able to walk out of there for nothing. That’s the people at the very top of the game’s fault” – Blackpool boss Ian Holloway on Thursday, October 21.

“He’s umming and ahhing at the minute, but it’s looking good. He’s very, very interested so watch this space” – Robbie Fowler jokes that his time away from Perth Glory was spent convincing Rooney to join him in Australia.

“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” – Ferguson, after Rooney put pen to paper today, Friday, October 22.

“I am delighted to sign another deal at United. In the last couple of days, I have talked to the manager and the owners and they have convinced me this is where I belong. I said on Wednesday the manager is a genius and it is his belief and support that have convinced me to stay” – Rooney today, Friday, October 22.

“I’m shocked. Nothing’s shocked me more in football than this week. I thought this week leading up to today was enough but I just couldn’t believe it when I got the news today what had happened” – Former United midfielder Lou Macari responds after Rooney signed his new deal.

“It was just a story that for me, from the start to the end, was completely out of interest. When I saw headlines I just turned the page” – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger remains nonplussed by the whole affair.