When I first heard that Rooney had signed a new contract, I didn’t know how to react. It had been a bizarre four days and this news took bizarreness to a completely new level. Like every United fan, I was absolutely disgusted with Rooney’s conduct and had resigned myself to seeing him in City colours. I didn’t want Rooney to wear the United jersey ever again and wanted him to be sold off at the earliest. So, when Fergie said he was ‘delighted’ at persuading Rooney to sign a new contract, it was disappointing to say the least. Sir Alex came across as desperate and it was unbearable, especially after what had happened.
For a while, Rooney had been a source of frustration for United fans. After a disastrous World Cup, he was caught smoking on holiday. Then the scandal broke out and it was reported that Fergie was shocked and felt let down by someone who he had valued highly and had earmarked for the captaincy. Rooney then showed utter disrespect by claiming he hadn’t had an ankle injury all season, contrary to Fergie’s claims. This acted as a trigger to Fergie’s press conference and post that, Rooney cited the club’s lack of ambition as the reason to quit, which sent out a message that he didn’t believe the current squad was good enough to win titles. And to cap it all, it was reported that he had a ‘done deal’ with City. Blasphemy, by any United player, let alone by someone who enjoyed legendary status.
Could Fergie really have forgiven Rooney after all this? Surely not.
To protect his reputation as someone who wouldn’t tolerate the slightest hint of disrespect/disloyalty, Fergie could have taken the easier route of asking the player to pack his bags. But with only an year and a half left on his contract, Rooney would have gone at a bargain price. Sir Alex clearly put the best interests of the club ahead of himself. Although it risked his reputation and let adjectives like vulnerable, desperate, embarrassing, etc. be associated with him, it has now allowed the club to dictate terms in the sale of its most valuable asset. The whole exercise was to do with Rooney’s marketability rather than his talent; if there is one person who would firmly believe the squad sans Rooney can win titles, it is Sir Alex. I don’t see Rooney stay beyond next summer even if he wishes to.
Rooney might win over the fans again, but not the gaffer.
After all, Fergie’s autobiography finishes with the words “Loyalty has been the anchor of my life”.
