Football 2010-2011

[eFestivals]

a few choice quotes, my favourite being Wenger's:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/8080453/Wayne-Rooney-signs-new-Manchester-United-deal-live-news-and-reaction.html

i see Rio is as dumb as he ever was.

[The Nal]

Rooneys interview with MUTV:

Wayne to rebuild the relationship

Shortly after signing a new five-year contract with United, Wayne Rooney sat down with MUTV on Friday to talk about his new deal and staying at United...

Wayne, a new contract for you. How are you feeling?

Yeah, I’m delighted. There has been a bit of controversy over the timing of it all. But I’m delighted it’s finally signed. Hopefully I can move on and get back fit and get back playing again.

What have the last few days been like?

It’s been difficult for me and for the club as well. For me, I felt I had to get my point across and we finally came to an agreement, which I think is best for the two of us, for me and the club.

You originally had discussions with David Gill a while ago, can you explain your feelings and how things have changed?

As a player here at United I care for the club. I had some concerns and I made the manager and David Gill aware of that. It went on from there and it didn’t really move forward in terms of contract talks. Then in the last few days that’s all been made public knowledge, which made it more difficult. We felt – myself and the club – that we had to move quickly to sort it out. I’ve spoken with the manager, David Gill and the owners and all of them have confirmed to me that this is the right club for me to be at, and that the club is going to continue to be successful and win things. I had other things I wanted to air as well, but I was happy to move forward and sign the deal.

How complicated is the negotiation process?

It is very complicated. It’s about the football club, but it’s about me and my career as well. So I had to think about it really hard. I’m just delighted it’s over now and hopefully we can put it to the back of our minds.

How does it feel to be a young footballer in the middle of all this? What emotions are going through your mind?

It’s difficult. There’s a lot of media coverage that you have to deal with. I’m sure with other players these discussions happen as well, but they just never become public knowledge. Obviously my situation did, and it made it more difficult. But I spoke with the club and we felt it was best to move things on quickly. I’m really delighted I’ve managed to agree the deal today.

Presumably it’s wonderful at times being Wayne Rooney, but being who you are is the reason why people have such strong opinions on it…

Yeah, that’s something I’ve had for many years now and you just have to try and learn to deal with it. I know I can deal with it myself. Sometimes it does get a bit difficult, but I’m glad it’s over with now and I’m just looking forward to getting back fit and playing again.

We heard from Sir Alex earlier this week and he sounded passionate, and quite emotional. You mentioned him in your statement too; what have you got to say about the way he has been throughout all of this?

It’s been difficult for him as well, I’m sure it has. He’s got to look after the club and he was trying to convince me to sign a new deal. We spoke about it and he has been fantastic. He’s a great manager and I’ve said that many times. He’s one of the big reasons why I joined United – to work under him and be successful. I’ve managed to do that. I’m hoping in the next few years we can do that again.

Is he one of the main reasons you are staying here?

Yeah. He’s not the only reason. I’ve been here now for six years. The fans have been great for me in that time. But the manager’s experience, passion and will to win are one of the main reasons why I’m playing here.

Are you surprised by how everything has happened?

Since it’s become public knowledge, it meant we had to move quickly. Once it all came out, it looked like there was nowhere to go, and that that was it. The manager quite openly made it clear that the door was still open for me to sign and that he still wanted me to sign. That’s when I spoke to my agent and said, ‘let’s go in and sit down with them and try to resolve it and try and get the deal done’. We went and spoke to the manager, David Gill and the Glazers. And I’m just pleased we worked it out.

What’s your message to the fans now?

I’m sure the fans are upset with everything that they’ve heard in the media. But my message is that I care for this club and I want to be here. That’s important to know. I want to continue being successful at this club. Some fans might not take to it too quickly. It might take time. But I will give 100 per cent on the pitch. I want to try and build that relationship back up. I hope that we can work together on this and try to do the best thing for Manchester United and win trophies here.

[eFestivals]

There you go Nal - you can cheer along with all the other muppets next time he kisses the badge.

[Jaybles]

There you go Nal - you can cheer along with all the other muppets next time he kisses the badge.

[The Nal]

There you go Nal - you can cheer along with all the other muppets next time he kisses the badge.

[Benj]

Its very similar to Gerrard. Was it just a giant cockup of communication?

[eFestivals]

The Nal and others love to call me an ABU. What's the opposite then? I guess it's simply 'Man Utd fan'.

So anyway, I've just seen Man Utd fan Clayton Blackmore interviewed on Sky News. Apparently, there was no crisis or issue, and it's all been blown up by the papers. And fergie played a blinder.

[Benj]

Or just a loads of PR balls to get Utd back to the top the headlines after all the attention LFC have got of late.

Its all so bizarre, its hard to imagine its all about the fat lad trying to get a few extra 10s of thousands of pounds a week

[ampersand]

don't think you can go about pretending you know what has gone on neil. i've seen several possible theories.

it's a weird one.

[eFestivals]

Plus get the stories about Rooney away from his (lady) whoring.

People wont be talking about that anymore, only about this

Do you know, Rooney likes prossies? And old ones too sometime.

Seems you're wrong.

[Benj]

What a way to destroy his reputation as a footballer. Just read that he was offered £160,000 a week back in august and he turned that down.

So for the sake of another £20,000 a week (which he OBVIOUSLY needs!!) he has lost all respect from all figures of the football world, and more importantly the Utd fans. I for one will not see him in the same light again .. Even if he were to score a hatrick in the Champions League Final. He was well on his way to legend status at the club and he's thrown it all away.

This is the worst outcome for many Utd fans. No doubting his ability but nobody should treat the club the way he has done. I would have been happier to see him go, and used the money to buy another great striker.

This proves it was obviously about money, as how can the clubs 'ambition' have changed in 2 days. Pathetic!

[eFestivals]

don't think you can go about pretending you know what has gone on neil. i've seen several possible theories.

it's a weird one.

I'm not pretending. Clayton is.

The interviewer quite rightly pointed out to him that what he claimed was "blown up by the papers" was in fact the papers reporting on statements made by both fergie and Rooney.

Just about anything is possible, but 'blown up by the papers' and 'fergie played a blinder' are not.

[The Nal]

You'll all be sucking his cock again come Xmas and you know it.

Same as LFC fans with Gerrard. One minute burning his shirt outside Anfield, the next singing his name on the stands.

[Cardboard Box City]

So anyway, I've just seen the legend that is Clayton Blackmore interviewed on Sky News.

[eFestivals]

Is Clayton legendary for being brain-dead then?

[5co77ie]

Plus get the stories about Rooney away from his (lady) whoring.

People wont be talking about that anymore, only about this

[The Nal]

Is Clayton legendary for being brain-dead then?

[ralph250]

f**k off!!

Seriously, I'm still confused here, mentally battered. What assurances was he given? How much is his contract worth? What did the Glazers day? Is David Gill a total f**kwit when it comes to dealing with talent? etc etc. All very strange.

Its very similar to Gerrard. Was it just a giant cockup of communication?

[ste4_20]

Do you know, Rooney likes prossies? And old ones too sometime.

Seems you're wrong.

[eFestivals]

I wouldn't form any strong opinions from what he says. Put it that way.

Oh, I didn't. Well, aside from forming the strong opinion that he's a dick.

[eFestivals]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-20/manchester-united-debt-soars-amid-glazers-concerns-over-backlash-by-fans.html

An interesting line in that piece which I can't remember having seen anyone post in the last few days, and i'm thinking it's so hugely relevant I'm shocked no one has.....

"The 80 million pounds ($126.8 million) received from the sale last year of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid still hasn’t been reinvested in the team."

Bearing that in mind - and that there's been two summers to spend it - it's hardly surprising that Rooney felt they weren't ambitious. To lose the (just about) best player in the world from the club and then not really spend any of the money got for him gives a real strong impression of a club that has lesser ambitions.

[Cardboard Box City]

Is Clayton legendary for being brain-dead then?

[eFestivals]

So i'm right then

-------------

pompey have issued a statement that the clob is likely to be shut down and liquidated.

[ralph250]

An interesting line in that piece which I can't remember having seen anyone post in the last few days, and i'm thinking it's so hugely relevant I'm shocked no one has.....

"The 80 million pounds ($126.8 million) received from the sale last year of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid still hasn’t been reinvested in the team."

Bearing that in mind - and that there's been two summers to spend it - it's hardly surprising that Rooney felt they weren't ambitious. To lose the (just about) best player in the world from the club and then not really spend any of the money got for him gives a real strong impression of a club that has lesser ambitions.

Edited October 22, 2010 by ralph250

[ampersand]

pompey have issued a statement that the clob is likely to be shut down and liquidated.

Edited October 22, 2010 by ampersand