Last summer, there were numerous rumors of iconic English striker Wayne Rooney leaving Manchester United on a transfer. The Red Devils have ensured that the same drama will not play out this summer, signing Rooney to a five-year contract extension. The contract will reportedly pay Rooney around £ 300,000 per week. The deal will make Rooney the Premier League’s highest paid player.
Manchester United Signs Wayne Rooney to Five Year Extension
Rooney has been with Manchester United since 2004, when he transferred to the club from Everton. The 28-year-old has 208 career goals for Manchester United and is closing in on the club record of 249 held by Sir Bobby Charlton. He sits fourth in the team record books, but is just three goals behind Jack Rowley for third on the list. One should note that Charlton’s record was set in 758 appearances for United, while Rooney has only made 430 appearances to date.
The season has been tough for Manchester United who currently sit in seventh place on the table, in their first season under new manager David Moyes. They sit 11 points behind fourth place, and England’s last Champions League berth for 2014-15.
“It’s not a massive concern for me,” Rooney said on his personal website. “This is because I know the direction that this club is going in, and if we don’t make it this season then we will come back stronger and claim a Champions League spot next season.
“Let’s not forget we still have a chance this year. Some of the other teams are playing well, but we have a strong squad here and if we have a positive end to the season then who knows what can happen.”
Rooney is also a national team star and is expected to be in the starting lineup when England head to the World Cup in Brazil this summer.
“Wayne has been the best player in England since I put him into the Everton first team in 2003,” Moyes said. “Since becoming United manager in July last year, I have enjoyed working with him and seeing just how he has developed his incredible talent.
Moyes is relieved that last year’s transfer saga can be put to rest.
“Everyone would want him in their team,” Moyes said. “There were clubs who did want him. There were clubs who would have wanted him, but there was never going to be a chance he was going to leave Manchester United, certainly not on my watch.”
As part of the new contract, Rooney will become a club ambassador when his playing career ends.
“I’ve been here since I was 18 and this contract will take me through to my 30s, which is almost my entire professional career,” Rooney said. “I’ve played most of my best football here and am looking forward to hopefully playing even better football in the next few years.”
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