From August up until yesterday, pretty much everything involving Manchester United was bad news – abysmal results on the pitch, disgruntled players suffering injuries, disillusioned fans doubting the wisdom of appointing David Moyes as replacement Sir Alex Ferguson and, more crucially, players wanting to leave the club.
The last couple of days, however, seem to have signalled the start of a turnaround as far as the club’s fortunes off the pitch are considered, with the announcement of Juan Mata’s arrival followed by the news that Wayne Rooney is intentioned to extend his contract at Old Trafford.
The striker looked on the verge to depart the club last summer, after an acrimonious feud with Sir Alex Ferguson looked to have scuppered any chance of Rooney remaining at the club, before David Moyes convinced him to stay and after a summer throughout which many fans wanted him out, the supporters rallied behind Rooney.
However, with Rooney’s brilliance this season not translating into success on the pitch for United, the 28-year-old was again thought to be heading for the exit door at Old Trafford.
With Rooney’s contract expiring in 18 months and United’s quest for a top four finish looking an increasingly arduous task, Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid renewed their interest in the United number 10 who looked to set to be on the receiving end of many offers this summer.
Chelsea, in particular, were thought to be determined to land the England striker in the summer and Mata’s arrival at Old Trafford was by many seen as the move that would open the exit door for Rooney, who had been subject of two offers from Jose Mourinho’s club last summer.
Today, however, the Telegraph reports that Rooney is set to agree a new 5-year-deal worth a staggering £300,000-a-week which would keep him at Old Trafford until 2018, 14 years on since arriving the club from Everton in the summer of 2004.
Tieing Rooney to a new five-year deal would represent a major coup for David Moyes, just days after announcing his second major signing – one which will hopefully have a better impact than the first – in the form of Juan Mata, who will undergo his medical today before sealing his £40m transfer from Chelsea.
For all the criticism received this season, David Moyes must be credited for clinching the deal bringing the Spaniard to Old Trafford and for managing to sit the club and Rooney down to negotiate yet again.
Things, at long last, might start to look a bit brighter as far as United are concerned.
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