Wayne Rooney has finally apologised to the Manchester United fans for the way his recent transfer negotiations were conducted.
Following his matchwinning penalty at Rangers, Rooney offered his
apology, before revealing the speculation about a move to City was well
wide of the mark, saying: “I feel like I have apologised to the fans
but everyone keeps saying that I haven’t. If that is the case, then I
apologise for my side of things.”
He added: “I have made my point clear since I signed my
contract that I am committed to this club for the long term. I want to
be successful here. Everyone is saying that I was definitely going to
Manchester City. Believe me if I had gone it wouldn’t have been in
England.”
For two or three days, it appeared certain a move would have to
be arranged as the ill-feeling towards Rooney grew. Even since the
dispute was resolved, Sir Alex Ferguson has been critical of Rooney’s
trusted advisor Paul Stretford.
Yet the 25-year-old now acknowledges that leaving Old Trafford could have been the biggest mistake of his career.
“You see so many players leave this club and not do so well so I am delighted to have stayed.”
The process seemed amazingly simple. Unhappy about the future
direction United were heading under the Glazer ownership, Rooney wanted
assurances standards would not be allowed to fall.
“I spoke
with the manager and (chief executive) David Gill. They reassured me
the club was moving forward and from that it took maybe two or three
hours to negotiate my contract and sign it,”Rooney said
“It wasn’t a distraction to my football because I haven’t played
that much but it was a distraction overall. I am just happy it is all
over now. I want to put it behind me and look forward.”
