Man Utd future success dependant on Rooney stay

Wayne Rooney is just 41 goals behind Manchester United record scorer Bobby Charlton – who finished on 249 in all competitions during a 17-year Red Devils career. The record is 41 years old.

Recent reports suggest that Rooney (in his 10th season at Old Trafford) has either signed or is about to sign a new contract at Man Utd. It is thought that the bait of the captaincy position has influenced a decision (following the announced departure of current skipper Nemanja Vidic).

The club are having a dreadful season so far by normal Sir Alex Ferguson-era standards, and new boss David Moyes knows he will need to tie down his most important player if he is to stand any chance of a resurrection starting next August.

At present, Man Utd are down in seventh, 11 points behind fourth-placed Liverpool and have odds of just 7/1 for a Champions League spot.

Although not the prolific goalscorer he once was, Rooney has been absolutely key to United’s success over the years and since joining in 2004 he has helped them win five Premier Leagues, one Champions League and two League Cups.

United released a statement playing down reports the Liverpudlian had signed a new four-year contract worth a record-breaking £300k-per-week, but the Sun’s Charlie Wyett thought otherwise.

Following on from an article he wrote on Rooney, the journalist told Sky Sports: “We are saying that he has not just agreed, but he has actually signed. Obviously that has yet to be announced for Manchester United.

“I think he realises it is the best place for him still. I know others thought he might go to Chelsea or elsewhere, but I think Moyes has had a series of meetings with him and convinced him to stay.

“I think Rooney will be the next captain of Manchester United and I think that it is a boost for Moyes. He is obviously going through a difficult spell.”

Rooney, who will enter the last year of his current contract in the summer, has recently hinted of prolonging his Old Trafford stay and surpassing Charlton. “It is a great aim for myself to try and get Sir Bobby’s [goal] record, both at club and international level,” he said.