• Premier League

Manchester United take Rooney contract gamble

Soccernet staff
May 6, 2010
Wayne Rooney has starred for Manchester United this season © Getty Images
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Manchester United will wait until after the World Cup finals to open negotiations over a new five-year contract with Wayne Rooney. The striker will head to South Africa as part of Fabio Capello's England squad, and if he is a success his value and wage demands could increase considerably.

The 24-year-old still has two seasons remaining on his current £90,000-a-week contract and any new deal is likely to make him the highest paid player at Old Trafford. England captain Rio Ferdinand is United's top earner, on £110,000-a-week, but a strong World Cup for Rooney could lead to a salary well in excess of that figure.

The United hierarchy see no cause to rush through contract talks and have agreed with Rooney's representative, Paul Stretford, not to begin negotiations until after the finals.

Rooney has enjoyed huge personal success at United this season, scoring 34 goals and winning the PFA and Football Writers' Player of The Year awards, and could still land the Premier League title, to add to the Carling Cup, if Chelsea don't win against Wigan on the last day of the season and United beat Stoke.

The former Everton youngster has always insisted he is very happy at United, but Real Madrid are waiting in the wings should any problems arise.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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