Wayne Rooney’s claim that Manchester United is stagnating under the Glazer regime masks an essential greed on the player’s part but it also strikes at the heart of the club’s financial problems. The striker says that he will not sign a new contract because David Gill will not assure him over the club’s ability to attract the world’s top players.
It’s a claim United can have only one answer to.
It is now likely Rooney will be sold in the January transfer window, with United keen to realise whatever value is left in a player with just 20 months left on his £90,000 per week deal. Rooney, believed to be considering a £260,000 a week offer from Manchester City, can leave for free in June 2012 if United has not sold the striker before then.
In another extraordinary twist in the ongoing saga over the past week, Rooney’s camp released a statement just two hours before United’s match with Bursaspor last night. Timed to have maximum impact ahead of a key Champions League clash, Rooney directly challenged the Glazer family’s ownership of the club. The 24-year-old claimed that failure to attract the world’s best players lay at the heart of his decision.
“I met with David Gill last week and he did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad,” said Rooney.
“I have had a number of meetings with the club about a new contract. During those meetings in August I asked for assurances about the continued ability of the club to attract the top players in the world.
“For me its all about winning trophies – as the club has always done under Sir Alex. Because of that I think the questions I was asking were justified.”
Despite the high degree of unprofessionalism demonstrated by Rooney’s camp in the past week, the statement touches on concerns about the club’s investment in the transfer market.
The uncomfortable truth about the Glazer family’s willingness to invest in marquee players, while paying down the clubs huge debt burden, is yet to be answered.
Since reaching the Champions League final in May 2009, Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo have left the club, while Ferguson has invested largely in younger, unproven replacements. Ferguson last night reiterated the club’s policy of buying younger players.
Supporters groups are concerned that United’s £720 million debt is impacting the club’s ability to compete in the transfer market, with more than £80 million in interest and refinance charges haemorrhaged in the last financial year. In the past two years the club has spent around £55 million on new players but received more than £94 million in sales, while pocketing money once earmarked for Tevez’ signature.
The subtext, of course, is that Rooney also believes United is in danger of slipping behind Chelsea and City domestically, while falling further back in Europe. United sits behind both Chelsea and cross-town rivals City in the Premier League and has fallen to third in the domestic wages table. It is perhaps instructive that no team has ever won the Premier League while not one of the leading payers.
Ferguson reacted to with anger to Rooney’s challenge last night, warning the striker that the grass is not always greener. The United manager said that the club will invest in players when the time is right but said that the club’s policy is to bring in younger players.
“We will invest for signature players when the time is ready, and this summer was not right for me,” claimed Ferguson, who has repeatedly said that there is no value in the transfer market.
“Our policy is to bring in young players and it is the right policy.
“We have a good structure, the right staff, the right manager, the right chief executive. There’s not a thing wrong with Manchester United.”
Except for £720 million debt, critics might add.
In any increasingly bitter war-of-words, Ferguson said he was to meet with chief executive David Gill today to discuss whether Rooney will be sold in the upcoming window. Ferguson also appealed to supporters, most of whom assume that Rooney’s motives are based on the desire for untold wealth on offer at City. Banners at Old Trafford last night proclaimed the striker a ‘whore’.
“Some players like to think there’s a better world somewhere else but it never really works,” said Ferguson.
“They look in a field and see a cow and they think it’s a better cow than the one in their own field, and it never really works out that way.”
United’s financial dilemma over Rooney is underscored by the player’s rapidly depreciating value. Cup-tied in Europe, and reportedly demanding wages in excess of £200,000 per week, Rooney is attractive only to a very small group of clubs. Should United delay a sale until next summer, the club may only realise a third of the player’s true value. Perhaps as low as £20 million.
While supporters can expect any money from Rooney’s sale to be reinvested into the playing squad, Bloomberg today revealed that the Glazer family has delayed repaying the Payment-in-Kind (PIK) notes amid fears of a supporter backlash.
The Glazer family is allowed to take up to £95 million in dividends immediately, followed by up to 50 per cent of United’s EBITDA profits – earnings before interest, tax and other deductions – after bond interest payments. On current earnings the Glazer family could take another £28 million this season plus various management and consulting fees.
However, United’s recent accounts showed that these dividends had not yet been taken, with Bloomberg’s sources claiming the family failed to do so following a high-profile campaign by supporter groups last season.
While United’s finances continue to dominate supporter groups thinking, Rooney’s probable January departure means a third leading player leaving the club inside 18 months. Despite Ferguson’s assertions, it is hard to argue the team has not regressed in that period.
Aside from the departures Anderson shows few signs of progress, Michael Carrick’s slump continues and Park Ji-Sung makes a weekly case for permanent exclusion. Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Edwin van der Sar is each one day closer to retirement.
Indeed, last night Ferguson argued strongly that United is now at the end of a cycle of success. Whether and when United rise again is a matter of youth development and investment in the market.
The former is a matter of three years, Ferguson said. The later is seemingly now a factor of the Glazer family’s bravery.
Ed, we forget sth. He is a player, not the manager or owner of MU. His driver is the money. Nothing else. He does not give a damn about MU or his teamates let alone the fans. The use of general truth regarding financial position of the club it’s just a smokescreen for his actions. He should wear MU shirt again. He does not deserve it. PS: The irony about “his” statement !!! what an laugh, from someone who can not put two sentences in the row
ody – yes sure, all true but clearly not my point. He’s another player after the biggest fastest buck he can make but United is a hugely indebted club which has let the squad erode and isn’t prepared to pay as much as the club’s competitors. Doesn’t take away Rooney’s motives but what he ‘said’ does touch on some truths that hurt.
PPS the irony is even more hilarious now… he should wear MU shirt again… what an laugh… sentences in the row… back to school for the two of you!
That poster calling Rooney “a whore”. Would it have been ripped down immediately if it had an anti Glazer slogan on it?
Just a thought!
I liek the way he says he wants to win trophies – pity the scumbag didn’t give that impression during the worl cup.
Fergie – cash in on the disrespectful classless worm and watch him regret it in 2 years a la Gazza!
Fk u Rooney!
lol bang on.
Of course these truths hurt Ed. Whats more disturbing is that Taggart continually backs that slimey twat Gill and the Gimps. Well he would would’nt he. He and Gill had their palms crossed with good dollar to smooth through their take over. Thats why for me they a both a pair of hypocritical crooks. What Rooney has done is only akin to exactly what they did five years ago.
SAF is saying he is not buying any world class players, just investing in young players.
“David Gill will not assure him over the club’s ability to attract the world’s top players.”
This is utter tosh from Rooney – he is looking for more money – simple as! Gill could have given any assurances in the world…so long as rooney signed a contract – what did rooney want Utd to do – go out and sign any player for £30 million just to prove a point?
He should have faith in SAF’s judgement….how many times has SAF been proved wrong in the past?
Does he think he is THAT good that he can dictate the transfer polict at Utd – if so his arrogance is breath taking!
Yes, as the authors notes, United’s financial dilemma is well known – however…to undermine your team mates and the manager is unprofessional and cannot be tolerated!
Do I think we will win the league this year…? Maybe, or maybe fergie is rebuilding (did you see his 4 year cycle quote?) again. Whatever, Rooney has played his last game for Utd…and in years to come he will look back and regret his decision – his loss, not Utds!
Brilliant sum up of the scenarios. We sre at the end of a success cycle. We will build a new team with a core of talented young players at the club like Smalling, Nani, Hernandez, Rafael and such. A couple of key mature signings added to that will form a good enough team to start a new cycle. If Rooney is sold and the old guard retire, we will need to spend heavily, probably 5-6 players worth £20m. Rooney’s money should be able to buy 2-3 players that can improve the team instantly while Fergie intimated that we will sign big when the old guard retire. That should see us sign 6 players and the emergence of new players such as Nani, Hernandez, Valencia and with Rio, Vidic, Evra, Fletcher around as old heads, we should have a very good team to challenge strongly at home and in Europe.
Good article and more or less what I think myself, sad bit of truth but just a bullshit smoke screen for being a greedy cunt. Fergies point about the 3/4 year cycle stands up against statistics i’d say. Now its down to the GLazers, lets see if they throw some cash at us. I don’t think they will in January but come the summer I reckon they’ll shell out 50 or 60 million on a two or three quality players and hope that some of the younger ones really step up to the plate. I can see us landing Sneider and Benzima with the Rooney money and offloading one or two like Carrick and perhaps Park may contribute to another 20/30 million signing. Surely the Glazers are more than aware that they will need to spend big at some stage to maintain the onfield success which of course maintains the off field cash cow. The Torres talk is interesting, he hasn’t become a crap player overnight and perhaps a change of scenery is what he needs. You’d imagine at some stage the the whole UTD/ Pool not doing business will change.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/oct/21/ian-holloway-rages-wayne-rooney
Holloway is fucking hilarious and brilliant. Genuinely awesome.
Fergie ?? How dare you…Te..you disgusting little man…You call yourself a fan of our club, you’re a fucking disgrace… why don’t you take your head of of your arse and smell the air….Rooney is a gutless man and a money whore…like his wife. He has the cheek to question our ambition….. He like you are top of the cunt list.
Paul come on mate. You support the club not the man in charge. While i may not agree with what he says i think its immature to say hes not a fan because he dares question fergie. Its like those morons in America who say your not a patriot if you question the preseident. Slightly warped thinking.
Not one of us know the full story here, so all we can do is jump to conclusions. Noone knows what was said between Rooney and Gill and if Gill said we dont have the money to buy the payers youre talking about then i cant really blame him for wanting to leave. He just could have had a bit more respect and i will be watching his future career with interest as i think this will have a huge impact on him
yes but Ed you again seem to making this a Glazer issue when the vast majority are fully aware that the is a politically motivated statement by Rooney. Talk about an easy target. It was that “lack of investment” that got Rooney the medal haul he current holds.
i’m glad that Evra (and now Fletcher) have come out and essentially said fuck off to Rooney and his lack of investment / we have shit players jibe, which was clearly a Paul Stretford statement
his position is completely untenable and I expect his legs to be smashed to pieces in training, if he ever trains again.
I wait for Gaz Neville’s and Rio’s statements. Plus now that Gill will be speaking to Ginger Cunts (today) with Taggart, expect a statement that cash is ready but it’s up to Taggart to spend it. End of.
Taggart will respond as he did yesterday – we went for Benzema and Villa but they never came / we were outbid.
It still leaves everyone at square one – and looking straight at SAF. Ginger Cunts and gill will play it smart because no one is really going to march agains SAF for not spunking 40m on a player in the market.
end of the day political statement on not he’s spot on in what he says,
fergies been wrong many times, his backing of the glazers will prove the worst
Come now children. I think Fergie was playing politics with this because it suits him. Yes Rooney wants money but doesn’t mean he hasn’t hit on a truth even if its contrived to protect his own arse. Glazer and Fergie are the same thing when it comes to money. The best way for United to prove Rooney wrong is to go out buy big and win trophies while watching him fail at City.
yes but by the same token Fergie has also hinted at a truth – football clubs rise and fall in cycles and he believes that this is a rebuilding phase that had Rooney in the plan. that is no more the truth than what Shrek is saying – so we arrive at the same position – both are right and wrong – but one thing is for sure Shrek is a cunt for so many reasons especially given the timing, his off-field actions, his form and to his fellow team mates. and there is the cash. it’s such an own goal it’s laughable.
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_RdLGZ89uU&feature=player_embedded[/video]
Did you hear the BBC report. Fergie said he has the money but there are no players out there worth buying and paying these huge wages. His policy is to invest in young players and bring them through the United system. He made it clear that he will not be buying any superstars.
So the problem is not the GLAZERS. The problem is Fergie? At 70 years old, he is set in his ways. The way I see it, the problem is the scouts that work for United. They need to hire scouts that have an eye for good young talent. Look at some of the players the scouts have sent to United. Average talent! How could Fergie sign of on a player for 8 million pounds (BEBE) and no one there had ever seen him play and had never even heard of him. Rooney says he wants out because although they are bringing in young players but these are mediocore young players and Rooney feels United can win nothing with these players.
Reminds me keano’s rant, but you see he was wrong.
that cycle stuff is bollocks, you can continue the success if you strengthen when you’re on top, fergie didn’t do it after bacrcelona or moscow, complacent
Maybe we dont have money to buy the best players in the world, but when did we ever? Have we ever spent more than 30m on a player? We rely on Fergie to target and develop talent and players who want to play for the best club in the world, not players who are looking for a massive payday.
I hope Man City do buy him because its the right club for shameless, greedy traitors, and we dont want players like that at United anyway.
The team is undefeated in all competitions this season and only 5 points behind Chelsea so that is what SAF is looking at and is quite satisfied with the squad that he already has. If the fans were to put a lot of pressure on the club like boycotting all home games, world class players would be on the way in a hurry! Looking at the team as it is now, you just need two quality midfielders and a first class goalkeeper and they don’t have to be 30 million pound players. And if Rooney really goes, a 10-15 million pound striker but not a teenager, got to be experienced and over 21 years old.
Rooney’s had one season where he didn’t win something at United, his first, and he cites the clubs ambition as the reason he is not signing a new contract? Also if that’s the case, why didn’t he say something along the lines of ‘I won’t sign a new contract unless the club make x amount of signings by x date’? If United were to make signings in January, would he be happy to sign an extension? How many signings would be sufficient for him? Does he think Giggs, Neville, Keane & Scholes all lacked ambition by staying at the club from, Keane apart, from 2003-2006? Does he now believe that Evra, Berbatov, Hernandez, Rio, Vida, Fletcher, Nani, Valencia etc all lack ambition for staying at the club… or perhaps he just thinks they’re all shite. Whichever way you look at it, Rooney doesn’t look good out of all of this. Had he come out at the beginning of the summer or after the World Cup and said he really wanted to sign an extension, but regrettably would have to wait and see who the club brought in before deciding, he would have been seen as a hero to the fans. But he didn’t, because that only became a convenient excuse when the lads in the England squad started comparing cock sizes and Rooney decided he wanted his extended.
One thing is for sure, he’s badly misjudged this and could never have expected the shitstorm that would brew so quickly and venemently against him in such a short time. Quite the opposite in fact, he probably expected support more than anything else. If the reaction has an effect on his stance remains to be seen, personally I couldn’t give two shits – we are better rid. Either way, we are going to find out once and for all if there is money there or not. The fans will forgive SAF Rooney’s departure given the circumstances, I doubt they’ll forgive him should he not be replaced with an established name.
keane rio rooney ron ruud stam, none world class when we signed them, all good enough to play for us though and certainties to become top draw, not maybes, not possiblies, not punts, not signingss that could go either way and if they flop who cares we signed them on the cheap we’ll move em on at a profit, not fucking homeless cunts signed from hostels, 100 percent fucking stone wall definites to become top players, its how fergies used to do it, its not about going and signing gerrard or ron, its about going and signing the next gerrard and ron, players who are going to become top draw
Agreed, but it’s top drawer, not draw.
You’re welcome.
fergie used to always come out with this shite about how some young players come along who are so special he’ll try and get them regardless of price and regardless of whether or not we actually need them, rooney gascoigne ron keane et al, what happened to that, none we’ll give it the no value shite and look for the angolan down syndrome oxfam version for two mil and thwn loan him to sunderland so we can sell him to valladolid for a million profit
Ed…
“It is now likely Rooney will be sold in the January transfer window, with United keen to realise whatever value is left in a player with just 20 months left on his £90,000 per week deal. Rooney, believed to be considering a £260,000 a week offer from Manchester City, can leave for free in June 2012 if United has not sold the striker before then.”
“United’s financial dilemma over Rooney is underscored by the player’s rapidly depreciating value. Cup-tied in Europe, and reportedly demanding wages in excess of £200,000 per week, Rooney is attractive only to a very small group of clubs. Should United delay a sale until next summer, the club may only realise a third of the player’s true value. Perhaps as low as £20 million.”
It’s worse than that I believe… correct me if I’m wrong, but is it not true that, if Rooney is NOT sold in January, he can buy out the the remaining year of his own contract… summat like £5 + mill, plus a small penalty???
Good article by the way… but I would like to repeat my claim that if Rooney really cared about Manchester United and it’s fans, he could have gone public with his opinions on the Glazers handling of United… he could have been as critical as he liked, become the anti-Glazer movements best asset… become a real hero for the cause… and the worst that would have happened is he’d have been sold, and become a martyr for the cause… he could have probably even gone to the Bitters without so much animosity towards him.
quiet gal you lkhf bashing syphylitic cockface shitehouse cunt
Only my friends call me that…
By the way, just another thanx to Wazza…
Thanks for basically coming out and telling all prospective signings, that you feel United is a club in decline.
It might well be the truth, but you don’t expect one of you favourite sons, to be the one hammering in the nails.
they wouldve found that out once they started discussing terms with gill anyway
Not the point.
I don’t agree, the cycle thing is real enough, although obviously that’s no excuse for not trying to beat it. But let’s be fair to Fergie and the Glazers, they have spent decent money to build a new team. Nani and Anderson cost a lot, and are supposed to replace Giggs and Scholes. Berba was very expensive and was supposed to be a new star striker to replace Tevez and/or Ronaldo. Valencia is no Ronaldo, but he’s a very good player and an expensive one too. Carrick and Hargreaves were also expensive central midfielders.
The problem is not that no money has been spent. If Carrick, Hargreaves, Anderson, and Berba had had a bigger impact, we’d be chasing our fifth PL title in a row right now. Nani is only just starting to come good.
I’m not excusing the Glazers totally; we should be able to afford more players and if the debt is stopping that then it’s outrageous. But it’s only fair to acknowledge that we’ve spent a decent amount of money over the past 4-5 seasons, the problem is we haven’t spent it that wisely. If Carrick, Hargo and Berba had proven to be consistent top-level performers, our transfer policy would be totally vindicated; our senior team would be extremely competitive, and we’d look very clever for having all these young lads coming up. The problem is we need the young lads to do the job already that Carrick, Hargo, and Berba were supposed to do.
Alfonso – well that’s what the “Webster ruling” would in theory allow. Article 17 of the FIFA constitution now allows players who’ve had three years at a club to buy out the remainder of their contract. In Rooney’s case it would cost about £5m per season or part thereof.
In practical terms it won’t happen because all leading clubs understand the destabilising nature of Article 17. The European Club Association, which supersedes the G14, has a memorandum saying no member will invoke Article 17. There’s 137 members.
Doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen outside of the ECA – Newcastle signed Gutierez under Article 17. But I really don’t believe this will happen. Would break the understanding and lead to a massive movement of players around Europe. Would probably lead to the end of transfer fees too.
I wouldn’t expect United to use the money to replace Rooney directly.
The flaw with the last few United sides is that we have heavily relied on one player, either Ronaldo or Rooney.
Hernandez might not become either but at least he show the right attitude and be consistent.
I’d expect the Rooney money to be used to replace VDS and buy an attacking midfielder. Really the Ronaldo money should have been used for this, but with 100 mill + made from Rooney and Ronaldo the club really has to spend some of it.
So much for using the Ronaldo cash for the squad. Since we got the 80 mill for him we have bought in Smalling, Obertan, Valencia and Owen for a combined 30 mill. The Hernandez, Diouf and Bebe buys are offset by the sales of Tosic, Campbell and Foster. Still a 50 mill net profit to go into the bottomless pit of Glazer debt.
No way to reinvest in the squad.
Yes, you are right! United have spent a good bit of money but they have not spent it wisely. I go back to the scouts that are working for United. Maybe its time to replace them. Newcastle had the same problem with their scouts and replaced them. SAF said awile back that they had hired two fulltime scouts working out of Brazil. There is so much young talent in Brazil, I do not see any young Brazilians getting any trials at United. The only player that the scouts had recommanded to SAF was Douglas Costa but Fergie came up 4 million short and he was snatched up by Shakhtar Donetsk. Its best to have the scouts send all young players for trials first and Fergie could have a good look at them first before you go and blow 8 million on a lemon.
When we bought Bebe I watched his YouTube clips and could immediately see why we had chosen to sign him. I watched him in the reserves and again it was clear why we spent £8m on him. He’s a powerful player with pace. His potential is awesome; which is not to say that he will definitely become a super player for us. To describe him as a lemon is ridiculous.
As for bringing in young brazilians, how exactly are we meant to get work permits for them?
No Brazilians… apart from the Da Silva twins? We’re apparently after another – unrelated – Da Silva, and I’m sure I read something about a lad called “Alex”.
Holloway..good Rant, should be a Ranter here!
Sell the scouse twat for as much as possible, don’t give a fook who to!
The heading of this article is misleading in as the money whore used it to get away to RM or Chumpski/bitter blues.
Rooney = Hypocritical bindippingwhoreshaggingmoneygrabbingboxcutterwielding-sonofascumcity!
I Miss Eric…
Stagnating? Since when did he come to notice that.
Under the Glaziers he categorically stated he would be at united for life, when did that commitment change. Rooney grow up.
ROONEY SIGNS NEW DEAL
[quote]
Wayne Rooney has agreed a new 5 year contract to stay at Manchester United until at least June 2015.
The agreement follows intensive discussions between the Club and the player’s representatives and means that by the end of his contract Wayne will have been a Manchester United player for 11 years.
Sir Alex Ferguson said: “It’s been a difficult week, but the intensity of the coverage is what we expect at Manchester United. I said to the boy that the door is always open and I’m delighted Wayne has agreed to stay.
“Sometimes, when you’re in a club, it can be hard to realise just how big it is and it takes something like the events of the last few days to make you understand. I think Wayne now understands what a great club Manchester United is.
“I’m 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.
“I’m 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.”
Wayne Rooney said: “I’m delighted to sign another deal at United. In the last couple of days, I’ve talked to the Manager and the owners and they’ve convinced me this is where I belong. I said on Wednesday the Manager’s a genius and it’s his belief and support that have convinced me to stay.[/quote]
wtf
this is fucking bullshit. fuck him, he’s going to have to save evra from a burning building for me to like him again.
Fucking hilarious im now waiting for Cal to go into a fit of rage and start spitting and kicking things.
Iam not caling Bebe a lemon. Young players are coming in and its obvious that they are just average players. Look at the scenario. First Diouf, gone on loan to Blackburn. Obertan and Macheda like another United fan said, running around like headless chickens. Still not over impressed with Hernandez. But I agree with you when it comes to Bebe. I also have seen his video clips and he is the one that can make a difference in the team, but Fergie needs to start him, not put him out there for 10 minutes. Its what I have been saying all along, put Bebe on the right wing in Valencia’s position and play Nani as a striker to partner Berbatov. You see how Nani plays, he is always looking to score goals. Nani to partner Berbatov up front would work, with Bebe on the right wing. All you would need is two top quality midfielders and we are back in business.
But now we have Rooney for at least the rest of the season, where do you play Nani then?
Fuck it, I’m gonna agree with you…
Rooney Berba
Nani Fletcher A.N.Other Bebe
See what happens at Stoke.
—BERBA—
NANI – ROONEY
With Fletcher, plus two of Anderson/Park/Carrick in the middle and hope at least one of them up their game.
Oh to have a fit Hargreaves!
VAN de SAR
RAFAEL VIDIC FERDINAND EVRA
NANI FLETCHER ANDERSON BEBE
BERBATOV ROONEY
If Rooney cannot find his form, he will have to sit on the bench and be used as a sub. In that case, I would put Nani up front to partner Berbatov and Bebe on the right wing and use Giggs or Scholes on the left. But with everything that has gone down now, Rooney has really forced them to buy world class players and SAF now has no other choice. That was part of the agreement for Rooney to stay. SAF has come out already today and said that he and the Glazers have agreed to bring in world class players. It will now be interesting to see which players from the current squad will be sold. Iam sure in that meeting, Rooney gave them a list of players he felt were not up to United’s standard. I can see O’Shea, Evans, Carrick, Park and Michael Owen on the way out. Macheda may have to go out on loan. The way SAF was talking this morning, sounds like a lot of money is going to be spent on world class players.
In light of this its back to 4-4-2 especially at home, unless they stick Rooney on the left handside of the 4-5-1/4-3-3.
Then again he could just be a whole lot of talk to calm the fans down for now and keep a lot of publicity out of the news! If world class players are coming in, should hear something positive about who these players are from Fergie sometime soon!
Oh ffs… I wish Hargreaves would just fuck off, then maybe Ferguson woulds stop waiting for him.