WAYNE ROONEY is poised to sign a £40million long-term deal with
Manchester United by the turn of the year.
Sunday Mirror Sport can reveal that talks between Rooney's advisers
and Old Trafford officials are under way.
The England star's wish "to sign for United for the rest of my
career" is about to come true.
Despite the player's disappointing start to the season manager Sir
Alex Ferguson has supported Rooney unequivocally and believes he
will come good.
He singled out Rooney for special praise yesterday after the young
striker's best performance of the season in United's 3-1 victory at
Wigan. Rooney still has almost four years remaining on the £50,000-
a-week deal he signed when he joined United in a £20m transfer from
Everton two years ago.
But United want to secure a longterm commitment that ensures Rooney
(right), who is 21 this month, stays at Old Trafford for at least
six years.
However, Ferguson believes Rooney is now paying a price for his
determination in going to the World Cup finals. Rooney beat all the
odds to overcome a broken metatarsal and link up with the England
squad in Germany.
Ferguson said: "I don't think it did him any good going to Germany
in the physical condition he was in.
"Wayne's performances have not been that bad, they have just not
been the worldclass standards people expect. We just can't wait for
him to get a goal that his performances deserve."
