Truce: Wayne Rooney and Sir Alex Ferguson together
after the striker signed a new five-year contract
Wayne Rooney has
sensationally ended doubts over his future by performing an
extraordinary U-turn to stay at Manchester
United.
In a dramatic change of heart,
Rooney - who demanded to leave United earlier this week - has
signed a new lucrative five-year contract.
The club confirmed the news on
Friday lunchtime, ending an amazing week which included Rooney
insisting that United no longer matched his ambitions.
It also leaves
Manchester City, Chelsea and other leading European teams cursing
their luck after preparing their own deals to offer the
star.
'I am delighted to sign
another deal at United,' he said. 'In the last couple of days, I
have talked to the manager and the owners and they have convinced
me this is where I belong.'
The England star recognises damage has been done,
possibly inside the dressing room and certainly with the fans who
have regarded him as one of their own since he first arrived from
Everton in 2004.
He also understands the need
to improve his form, which has suffered so badly since he sustained
an ankle injury against Bayern Munich in March, the last time he
scored a goal for his club in open play.
Before: 'Join City and you're Dead' - the death threat
painted on a Manchester shop on Friday
After: The hateful message is cleaned off as news
breaks that Rooney is staying put at United
He added: 'I said on
Wednesday the manager is a genius and it is his belief and support
that have convinced me to stay.
'I am signing a new deal in
the absolute belief that the management, coaching staff, board and
owners are totally committed to making sure United maintains its
proud winning history - which is the reason I joined the club in
the first place.
'I am sure the fans over the
last week have felt let down by what they have read and seen. But
my position was from concern over the future.
'The fans have been brilliant
with me since I arrived and it's up to me through my performances
to win them over again.'
Manage a smile, Wayne? Rooney leaves United's
Carrington training ground on Friday
Out of form: Rooney recognises he must recapture his
spark after a lacklustre start to the season
In a separate
interview with MUTV, Rooney revealed he was determined to snatch
the olive branch held out by Ferguson.
He added: 'Since it became
public knowledge we had to move quicker than everybody
expected.
'Once it all came out, it
looked as though there was nowhere to go. But the manager made it
quite clear the door was still open for me to sign. The club still
wanted me to sign.
'I spoke to my agent and said
"let's go in and sit down and try to resolve it to get the deal
done". We went in, spoke with the manager, the Glazers and David
Gill. I am really pleased we managed to sort it out.'
Rooney insists
Ferguson was a key factor in his decision to stay,
adding: I am sure it has been difficult for him as well.
'He has to look after the club
and was trying to convince me to sign a new deal at the club. He is
a great manager. I have said many times one of the big reasons I
joined this club was to work under him, with his experience,
passion and will to win.
'I wanted to be successful
working with him. I have managed to do that. I am hoping in the
next few years we can do that again.'
After such a tumultuous week
it barely seemed credible such a position could be arrived at so
quickly.
And, after consultation with
the owners, who allayed his fears about the future direction of
United, Rooney agreed to extend his contract, which will now expire
in 2015.
'It's been a difficult week,
but the intensity of the coverage is what we expect at Manchester
United,' said boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
'I said to the boy that the
door is always open and I am delighted Wayne has agreed to stay.
'I am pleased he has accepted
the challenge to guide the younger players and establish himself as
one of United's great players. It shows character and belief in
what we stand for.
Back to basics: Rooney can now concentrate on matters
on the pitch
'I am sure everyone
involved with the club will now get behind Wayne and show him the
support he needs to produce the performances we know he is capable
of.'
Rooney, who was previously on
£90,000 per week, is understood to have taken a massive pay hike in
his new deal.
Ferguson has also revealed Rooney has apologised after
airing his concerns about the direction United were heading
in.
'Wayne has apologised to me and the players,'
Ferguson later told Key103. 'He will also do so with
the supporters.'
Rooney had endured a traumatic
last 24 hours with irate United supporters arriving at his house in
Prestbury last night to demonstrate over a potential move to hated
rivals Manchester
City, followed by death threats scrawled onto the
wall of a soon-to-open Nike shop in the city's Arndale
Centre.
