5 costly mistakes by Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement

#3 Giving Wayne Rooney a new deal in 2014

Wayne Rooney signed a lucrative new contract with Manchester United in 2014

Wayne Rooney’s relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson deteriorated in his last season at Manchester United. Ferguson considered him dispensable. Shinji Kagawa had been signed to play in Rooney’s number 10 position.

Needless to say, in a parallel universe, Ferguson would not have retired and Rooney would have been sent packing to a rival club where he may or may not have done well. However, David Moyes became the manager and the club, having lost Ferguson, did not want to lose their commercial face and on-field talisman, especially when Chelsea were hovering to sign him.

Rooney ended up with another lucrative contract. He led the club with all his heart and soul from 2013 till his departure in 2017. He became United’s record goalscorer while winning the FA Cup, the League Cup, and the Europa League. Rooney did well, but did he deserve to be amongst the highest paid players in the world between 2013 and 2015? Probably not.

Did the Rooney after Ferguson perform as well as the Rooney under Ferguson? No chance. Was it a big error to give him that contract? In this author’s opinion, no. Was it a costly error? Considering his wages, yes!