Will Rooney leave Man Utd?

[sweet waffle]

Rooney declares his intention to walk out on United (Guardian)

Wayne Rooney has thrown Manchester United's season into a state of turmoil after informing the club he has no plans to sign another contract and intends to find new employers. Rooney's decision is based on serious differences with Sir Alex Ferguson, the Guardian understands, and will be a devastating blow to the supporters who have come to regard him as a talismanic figure in this troubled era under Malcolm Glazer's ownership.

United may have no option now but to sell the England striker, possibly in the January transfer window, rather than risk his transfer valuation dramatically lowering now that he is only 20 months away from becoming a free agent.

No direct quotes, but if the Guardian are to be believed (and they must be pretty sure as they've got it on the front page of their site) it looks like the beginning of the end of Rooney's time at Old Trafford.

Edited October 17, 2010 by sweet waffle

[PloKoon13]

Funnily enough I came here to make near enough this exact topic.

I was also going to ask people what they thought of the idea of Rooney coming to Chelsea. I am completely aware that it's a very long shot and I am not condoning anything. I merely wanted to test the waters of the Shed End on the issue.

[Hutch]

Here's an excerpt from the Sunday Mirror's version:

Wayne Rooney WILL quit United in January

Wayne Rooney will quit Manchester United following a series of explosive rows with manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Talks over a new contract that would keep Rooney at Old Trafford for the peak years of his career have broken down - paving the way for the 24-year-old England international to leave United in the January transfer window.

The warring duo have barely spoken since Rooney returned from England duty last week.

Club insiders accept that Rooney’s relationship with Ferguson is beyond repair after they clashed over recent revelations about the England international’s sex shame and the subsequent decision to leave the striker out of United’s team.

LINK

[sweet waffle]

Funnily enough I came here to make near enough this exact topic.

I was also going to ask people what they thought of the idea of Rooney coming to Chelsea. I am completely aware that it's a very long shot and I am not condoning anything. I merely wanted to test the waters of the Shed End on the issue.

I certainly wouldn't be adverse to the idea of him playing for us, as on form there's no doubting he's a very good player, but I don't think there's a cat in hell's chance of him joining us, especially considering the transfer fee and supposed wage demands. But you never know.

[loz]

Plokoon,

Rooney is the second best striker in the country and would clearly be a massive asset for us. However if he moves then the fee would be in the £50m ball park and that is a price we wouldn't be prepared to pay. Also Utd would refuse to sell him to us (just as they refused to sell Liverpool Gabriele Heinze) so it is a bit of a non starter as a story.

[BlueNose]

Real Madrid...simples

[Liam]

I was also going to ask people what they thought of the idea of Rooney coming to Chelsea.

Oh yes please.

[BlueBeard]

I'd want Rooney at Chelsea as much as I wanted Deco here.

[Hutch]

The best thing I can think to say about Rooney is that he isn't Steven Gerrard.

[ozboy]

According to Soccernet Rooney wants out. Can't say I blame him. He has no form, but form is temporary class is permanent.

[The Moos]

Will he quit ManU?

Maybe. Ferguson usually don't mind selling his star players if he wants to. I think it all comes down to what the relation between Rooney and Ferguson is. If they don't get along, then Rooney will leave. If they do, then I don't see why he should leave.

Where will he go?

Spain and Real Madrid or Barcelona. I can't see him leaving for another team in England and can you really see him in France, Italy or Germany? Beckham went to Spain and I think Rooney could as well. And there's only two teams there he could go to. No way he'll chose teams like Valencia or Athletic Madrid. Actually, I can only see two teams who would be able to afford him. United won't sell him cheap, that's for sure.

Would I like him at Chelsea?

I think I would. He's a great player and could do much good for us. But somehow I don't think we would be willing to spend the kind of money ManU might want for him. And what about his wages? I guess they are kinda high and we don't spend loads of money on wages.

[Threepw00d]

*singing* who the f**k are man united, who the f**k are man united?!

[bluegraham]

i would hate to see him at chelsea he's finished in my view if he did come to us he wouldn't be the goldem boy of english football anymore

[Sheva]

Personally i think this will blow over soon, i wouldn't be surprised if Man City came in with a sneaky bid if he did actually want out. He would defaintly benefit us and he has alot of england teammates at Chelsea but i don't think we would ever match the amount of money Utd would want.

I just don't see the possibility of Chelsea buying a top player from arguably their main rivals this season, Mourinho was crying out for a number 9 to lead the line and Rooney showed he could do that last season so let the Rooney to Madrid rumours begin.

Also Barcelona can't afford him surely?

Edited October 17, 2010 by Sheva

[SydneyChelsea]

Rooney is a fantastic player, there is no doubt about it. I'd love him for Chelsea. On form, he is one of the top 5 players in the world.

The problem is that should he leave United, he will not want to stay in England. Not for any reasons of loyalty, because I'm sure he rather be here where he would have great mentors here in the form of Terry and Cole and a manager who will back him for his on-field ability, but because an escape to Spain would take him out of the English media spotlight. The media focus would only increase if he made a shock transfer to Chelsea or God-forbid, Manchester City.

Let's imagine this is true and Rooney has his transfer request accepted.

If I were Bruce Buck, i'd be on the phone to Manchester United. Here's 45m- we'll take him. Keep in mind the Glazer's perspective- they are in ridiculous debt and surely the Liverpool saga would have them spooked. Man U will probably say no.

Real Madrid is the only realistic possiblity for Rooney though there is slight chance of him going Inter- Moratti recently bragged about the possibility of bringing Messi to Inter, and with an ex-Premier League manager in Benitez plus an adoring media, Italy may well be an attractive option. Barcelona is a no-go, they have far too many attacking players and they simply can't afford him, so they are at best a trivial chance.

Thus the situation could open up a whole host of possibilities for Chelsea.

We could go directly after Rooney, which is probably the most likely option for the club with the least likely outcome.

If he went to Madrid, Buck should be on the phone with a cheeky 10m bid for Benzema. Yes, he's been totally out of sorts, but Rooney is Mourinho's ideal striker and will likely play alongside Higuain and Ronaldo.

If he goes to Inter, we target Pandev. Pandev can play anywhere across the forward line or as an attacking midfielder and he would make a fantastic squad player or Anelka substitute.

If he goes to Barcelona, we should make an all-out bid for Andres Iniesta.

[mad_mac]

As much as I doubt that he is going to leave Man U, I wonder where he'd even fit into our team? He'd be wasted out wide, and he's not going to force Drogba onto the bench.

[mad_mac]

Great player, but he'll not come to Chelsea.... where would he play? Also, can you imagine having all those "sex" stories around 3 of our players? (assuming Rooney did come to the Bridge)

[HazardsLeftPeg]

I remember very similar stories about Nani last season and look how thats ended. Unless his relationship with Fergie has completely disintegrated like the press are suggesting, there is no way he's leaving. The Spanish clubs have no need for him. Man City would be the usual suspects, but even they have better options. Inter maybe, but that is also unlikely.

[sals]

Funnily enough I came here to make near enough this exact topic.

I was also going to ask people what they thought of the idea of Rooney coming to Chelsea. I am completely aware that it's a very long shot and I am not condoning anything. I merely wanted to test the waters of the Shed End on the issue.

Definitely take him at Chelsea, with Drogba getting on in age (although thats hardly showing considering he just gets better and better) acquiring a world class striker like rooney would be fantastic. However I cant seem him leaving Utd, he will start scoring goals again and before you know it he is kissing the Utd badge and having sleepovers with Fergie.

Should he leave then as others have said his only destination will be to one of two cities in Spain.

[evissy]

He is one player I wouldn't mind having. He is an Everton-man so it really wouldn't be that controversial as people would think...still I don't think he will leave ManU and we wouldn't bid on him.

[Zola]

Would make me sick if we even showed interest in that prat.

[bonetti]

I'd want Rooney at Chelsea as much as I wanted Deco here.

With you on that Steve

[ethicalstrategy]

Plokoon,

Rooney is the second best striker in the country and would clearly be a massive asset for us. However if he moves then the fee would be in the £50m ball park and that is a price we wouldn't be prepared to pay. Also Utd would refuse to sell him to us (just as they refused to sell Liverpool Gabriele Heinze) so it is a bit of a non starter as a story.

Would the fee be that high? He has 18 months left on his contract and January would be Utd's best shot at getting a big fee, but in the current climate £50 million sounds an awful lot. Especially as Utd's would be distressed sellers. City would likely pay it in a shot but whether Utd could stomach that after seeing Tevez go there I'm not so sure. I don't see any others who would be willing or able to go up to that sort of fee. £30 million with big wages sounds more realistic.

I'd have him like a shot. Third best striker though behind Didier and Tevez.

[Maksimov]

I'm not sure it would be worth all the hassle. Nothing against the English in general, but many of the top English footballers at the moment seem to just end up making the headlines for all the wrong reasons and we could do without the distractions.

[german-blue]

If he leaves I hope he is going to join another PL team...yet another great player going to spain would be horrible for the reputation of the PL in my opinion.