Why Did Wayne Rooney Stay?
Two days after confirming his intention to leave Manchester United when his contract expires at the end of the season, Wayne Rooney signed a new long-term contract at Old Trafford. A lot of people are saying that his desire to leave was just a ploy for more money, but Sir Alex Ferguson believes the United faithful changed his mind.
The fans didn’t do it in a positive way, either. The most extreme example of the their distaste came when a group in hoods issued death threats at his house. Ferguson said that Rooney saw the impact his decision made and he had to rethink it. Rooney has said many times before that part of him wanted to get out of the media spotlight of Manchester United. But, no matter where he went, and especially if he went to Manchester City, the spotlight would follow him. The new contract with United equates to around £200,000 per week, making him the highest paid footballer in England.
Surprisingly, Arsenal rival Theo Walcott said Rooney is worth every penny. Walcott played alongside Rooney on England’s 2010 World Cup team, around the time Rooney’s current slump began. Walcott is glad that Rooney is staying put in the Premier League and not going abroad, calling Rooney one of England’s best players next to David Beckham. The pair are tied in points and both eyeing a Premier League title.
Walcott expects Rooney to regain his form after Fabio Capello’s men had a good start to the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign. Rooney is currently injured, but has only one goal in the Premier League this season, which came off a penalty spot. For the sake of Manchester United, Ferguson hopes that Rooney’s troubles are behind him now that the dark cloud of contract negotiations have dissipated.