The Sun can reveal Rooney is yet to iron out a new Old Trafford
deal.
This is despite assurances given to boss Alex Ferguson the
England striker will sign a contract worth £140,000 a week.
With Rooney now involved in a sex scandal, concerns are mounting
over the delay.
An insider said: "If Rooney gets to next summer without signing
a new deal his transfer value will plummet, United will lose
millions and he will be able to join any club he fancies in the
world."
Former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo has already issued a 'come
and join me at Real Madrid' plea.
And, with his future with devastated wife Coleen the subject of
national debate, there are fears at United that Rooney, 24, may
turn his back on the Premier League and escape abroad.
Before the World Cup there were suggestions of an improved
five-year deal to stay at United as the club's highest-paid
player.
But the striker's stock has fallen since then.
United have failed to come forward - even though Ferguson likes
to tie up his stars who have less than two years to go on their
deals with new contracts. Rooney has 18 months left on his.
His first meeting was due to take place two weeks ago with club
chief executive David Gill but is yet to happen.
Rooney is United's flagship player, whose image is wanted for
use in all advertising and to entice potential new sponsors.
But that image has been shattered over the last month - a factor
set to affect negotiations.
The club will not want to be seen as rewarding their star player
at a time when his position as a role model has crumbled.
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In August he was pictured urinating in the street, smoking and
singing in the early hours after a night out.
Now stories have come out about him having sex with a prostitute
while wife Coleen was pregnant with their son Kai.
On the pitch things have not gone much better.
Injury wrecked the end of his season and he then flopped in the
World Cup.
He also ranted at a TV camera after England's draw against the
USA because fans were booing.
The club's owners the Glazers will want hard evidence he is back
on track before they commit to a deal worth £36million.
