• Premier League

Fans vent anger at Rooney

ESPNsoccernet staff
October 22, 2010
Fans were more positive before the Bursaspor match on Wednesday © Getty Images
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Wayne Rooney now knows in no uncertain terms what the Manchester United fans think of his desire to leave the club after a group protested outside his home on Thursday evening.

A small group of supporters travelled to the millionaire village of Prestbury to vent their fury at Rooney, who released a statement on Wednesday confirming he wants to move on as the Red Devils can no longer match his ambitions.

The fans outside Rooney's £4.5 million Candysfield mansion carried banners warning Rooney against signing for Manchester City.

The Sun reports that one banner carried the message: "Sign for City and you're dead." The fans repeatedly buzzed his intercom, saying: "We want to talk to you, Wayne. We want you to explain the real reason you want to leave. We're not going to hurt you."

Police were called to the striker's home at 8.30pm and 30 people, many wearing Eric Cantona masks, were moved on by a team of eight officers. The fans were also wearing balaclavas and have been dubbed the 'Men In Black', relating to a clash with West Ham fans in 1989.

The group's leader, who has not been named, told the Sun: "We don't believe what Rooney said about his reasons for leaving the club. We want answers. The club is struggling for money but it was struggling for money four months ago - so what's changed?

"He has got himself in a mess in his private life and we understand if he wants to run away abroad, but the least we deserve is that he's honest with us. If he joins City it's going to go off and he'll be seeing us again."

A spokesman for the police said: "Cheshire Police can confirm that at 8.30pm, a call was received from a resident in Prestbury regarding 20 to 30 people assembling outside their address.

"Police attended the scene and the group dispersed peacefully. No offences were disclosed.''

Sky News is reporting that Manchester United have now deployed ten private security officers to patrol the England international's home.

The incident occurred just hours after talks aimed at thrashing out Rooney's future between Sir Alex Ferguson, the player's agent and United officials ended with no resolution.

"We are aware there is intense public and media interest on the club at the moment. I can confirm a number of meetings have taken place, including with the player's representative," said chief executive David Gill. "The outcome of those meetings will become clear in the near future. In the meantime fans are asked to be patient,"

United remain hopeful Rooney can be persuaded his future lies in the red half of Manchester.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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