• Premier League

Ferguson points finger at Rooney's agent

ESPNsoccernet staff
October 24, 2010
Wayne Rooney signed a new five-year deal at Manchester United on Friday © Getty Images
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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has appeared to pin the blame for the recent Wayne Rooney saga on the player's agent Paul Stretford.

A remarkable week at Old Trafford that begun with Ferguson revealing his star striker had handed in a transfer request, ended with a 2-1 victory over Stoke on Sunday.

In between, Rooney came out and revealed himself on Wednesday that he would not be signing a new contract with the club before subsequently performing a sensational U-turn and penning a new five-year deal on Friday.

And Ferguson, speaking after his side picked up three points at the Britannia Stadium, alluded to Stretford playing the role of chief puppet master in the Rooney affair.

"It is always tough at United," Ferguson said. "There are always issues to deal with. When your top players come towards the end of their contracts you have to do something to get them a new one. They are all the same.

"You have to deal with agents of this world today which is difficult. The players are no problem. There is no problem with players. Some agents are difficult."

And former United captain Gary Neville, who was lucky not to be sent off against Stoke, added his voice to those welcoming Rooney's decision to stay at the club he joined from Everton in 2004 - and couldn't resist taking a dig at United's cross-city neighbours.

"The main thing is that the best outcome was reached for all parties," Neville wrote in his Times of Malta column. "Except perhaps Manchester City."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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