United in decline - Rooney

WAYNE ROONEY has accused Manchester United of not matching his ambitions and questioned whether they are a club in decline as he explained his reasons for wanting to leave. The striker said his decision was based on serious misgivings about whether they were in a position to compete for major trophies over the coming years.

Rooney’s first public words in what is becoming an increasingly strategic and rancorous PR battle, released in a statement barely two hours before the 1-0 Champions League win against Bursaspor, amounts to an admission that he feels United, under the ownership of Malcolm Glazer’s family, are in danger of stagnating because of debts in excess of €818 million.

The England international, considering a potential €295,000-a-week offer to join Manchester City, has faced accusations of greed from within Old Trafford, with Alex Ferguson describing himself as “dumbfounded” yesterday that the man who scored 34 goals last season should suddenly want to sever his ties with the club. But Rooney attempted to deflect the blame by saying he had come to question United’s ambition in an era when the club no longer appear to be in the market for the more expensive players on the market.

“I met with (United’s chief executive) David Gill last week and he did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad,” Rooney said. “I then told him that I would not be signing a new contract. For me, it’s all about winning trophies – as the club has always done under Sir Alex. Because of that I think the questions I was asking were justified.”

The clear implication is that Rooney believes United are in danger of slipping behind more powerful spenders, specifically Chelsea and Manchester City in England and major forces in Europe such as Milan, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Ferguson has repeatedly defended the Glazers and insisted there are no financial restraints when it comes to his transfer budget, but Rooney’s statement indicates he finds the position unsatisfactory. He first told the club this on August 14th, three days after United shocked the football world by making Bebe their third summer signing, who followed Javier Hernandez and Chris Smalling to Old Trafford.

“I was interested to hear what Sir Alex had to say and surprised by some of it,” Rooney said. “It is absolutely true, as he said, that my agent (Paul Stretford) and I have had a number of meetings with the club about a new contract. During those meetings in August I asked for assurances about the continued ability of the club to attract the top players in the world.

“I have never had anything but complete respect for Manchester United. How could I not given its fantastic history and especially the last six years in which I have been lucky to play a part?”

Rooney’s relationship with Ferguson has been badly strained since he first informed the club that he did not want to sign a new contract, with his current deal due to expire in the summer of 2012 and his transfer value already depreciating. Ferguson had maintained that there had been no argument with the player – United believe that suggestion has been planted in an attempt to garner support for Rooney among fans – but the two men have barely been on speaking terms and this statement will exacerbate the situation, with the player citing “recent difficulties”.

Its release is a clear sign Rooney and his advisers are willing to take on Ferguson through the media, and senior figures at Old Trafford, including the manager, believe it was put out with an almost confrontational sense of timing, so soon before the team were playing.

There are notable omissions, most prominently nothing to answer directly the allegation that his decision is based on money. Instead, the message from Rooney is he is looking at other clubs because he feels United are falling behind.

Rooney’s first words on the matter come on the day that City’s manager, Roberto Mancini, said there had been no contact with the player but admitted that, if he were to be available, the wealthiest club in England would have to be interested.

John Terry, the Chelsea captain, has welcomed the idea of Rooney moving to his club.

The issues raised by Rooney also prompt the question about whether more of Ferguson’s players have concerns about the club’s future, particularly with the manager close to retirement himself. Rooney said: “Despite recent difficulties, I know I will always owe Sir Alex Ferguson a huge debt. He is a great manager and mentor who has helped and supported me from the day he signed me from Everton when I was only 18. For Manchester United’s sake I wish he could go on forever because he’s a one-off and a genius.”

Guardian Service