David Moyes says Wayne Rooney was “never” going to leave Manchester United as the striker finally committed his future to the club.
The Old Trafford boss was thrilled last night when the England international signed on until 2019 with a contract worth £300,000 (Dh 1.83m) a week.
And despite the overtures of Chelsea last summer, Moyes said: “As far as I was concerned it was never in doubt. The way I looked at it, this football club was never selling Wayne Rooney, never.
“I’ve probably known for three or four months that this would probably happen. In fact I’ve probably known, felt it, since August. The one thing I’ve found about Manchester United is that they decide what players go when they want them to go. The players won’t control that, no matter who comes to the club.
“I said to Wayne that I wanted him to stay. Before I’d actually come in here, I’d met Wayne privately a couple of times, to talk about his situation, to try to understand.
“I think the most important thing for Wayne was to show everyone what he really was and I think deep down he knows he didn’t play as well as he could have done at times [last season]. I think I needed to try to get him back to that level.”
Moyes said it was “possible” Rooney will replace Nemanja Vidic as captain, but wants the frontman to lead his United revolution with more top talent expected to revive their fortunes after a disappointing season.
“He knows by the way I train, by the way I work, by my determination to succeed that I won’t allow this to go the way it is. I’ll makechanges if it doesn’t improve," he added.“All the top players want to play for Manchester United.”
And, with Rooney 42 goals shy of Sir Bobby Charlton’s club record of 249, Moyes said the 28-year-old was eager to attain legendary status.
“For Wayne, I think he’s recognised how people like Bobby Charlton, George Best and the way those big stars are seen here,” he added. “The one thing I’ve noticed since I’ve been here is that no one wants to leave Manchester United very quickly, because they know once you leave here, it’s not the same.
“Wayne’s next thing is that we have to keep challenging him to get those goals, make those big targets, make them the things you want to achieve.
“I think there is more to come as an all-round team player, leader, person. I remember when he came to see me, I said to him ‘if you ask me what’s missing, I think you’ve gone a bit soft’.
“I thought when he came into the team I felt as though he nearly had to re-invent himself again.
“Go back to being the old Wayne Rooney, aggressive, fighting for everything that’s there, but with the level of technical ability of a top player which he’s got.
“He’s back, he’s showing leadership qualities – he’s shown exactly what it is to play for Manchester United.”
And in a statement released last night, Rooney expressed his delight that he will continue to play for United with his new deal effectively meaning he will end his career with the club.
Rooney said: “I am made up to be staying at United. In August I will have been at the club for 10 years and during that time I have played with some fantastic players and won everything that I hoped I would when I first signed.
“I now have the chance as one of the club’s senior players to help the younger players coming through.
“I am really excited to be a part of the club’s future and want to thank David Moyes and Ed Woodward for their belief and support in me. I am convinced that this is the start of another successful chapter in Manchester United’s history.”
ROONEY’S RICHES…
5.5 years £85,800,000 (Dh428.6m)
One year £15,600,000 (Dh95.2m)
One month £1,300,000 (Dh7.93m)
One week £300,000 (Dh1.83m)
One day £42,740 (Dh261,000)
One hour £1,781 (Dh10,868)
One minute £29.60 (Dh180)
FOOTBALL’S TOP EARNERS
1 Cristiano Ronaldo £17.2m/year
= 2 Wayne Rooney £15.6m
= 2 Gareth Bale £15.6m
4 Lionel Messi £13.1m
5 Zlatan Ibrahimovic £12.3m
