How long can Manchester United hold on to Wayne Rooney?

In the 2013-14 season, Manchester United have not exactly been at the level expected from them. Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement from the managerial position and the inability to sign any of their main targets in the summer has resulted in a terrible situation for the Red Devils who seem to have slim chances of European qualification. Things were certainly expected to change at United after the departure of SAF and appointment of David Moyes. However, no one would have predicted that Moyes would be such a huge disappointment handling the same team (plus Maroune Fellaini and new signing Juan Mata) that SAF won the title with.

In this astonishingly disastrous season so far for Manchester United, there have been a few positives to take home. The fact that Manchester United are amongst the three teams who are still unbeaten in the Champions League is credible and Adnan Januzaj has been a delight so far and has shown glimpses of a promising future. The recent signing of Juan Mata is certainly a morale booster. However, the one stand out this season has to be England’s very own bad boy Wayne Rooney. The striker has been fabulous so far this season and he has been one of the main reasons fans can still believe in the team. Last season’s golden boot winner Robin Van Persie has been plagued with injuries and has missed the action for a long time now. But in the former Arsenal man’s absence, Wayne Rooney has shone and been a delight on the pitch. Rooney leads the Premier League assist table with 10 assists and has scored 9 goals so far this season.

SAF paid a whopping £25m to acquire the services of Rooney. It was the highest fee ever paid for a player under 20 years old. Wayne Rooney has justified that price tag in the 8 seasons he has been playing for the Red Devils. However, he has also been part of various controversies and always generated interest from various clubs in the transfer window. While many a times it was being said that the Englishman was keen on a move away from Manchester, nothing ever materialised and the striker always ended up staying. In the 2013 summer transfer window, the rumours of a Wayne Rooney departure were stronger than ever with Chelsea and Arsenal trying their best to acquire Wazza. The forward however ended up staying and claiming that he was happy to play for United and didn’t want to move any time soon. That being said, Rooney may rethink his decision if Manchester United fails to gain Champions League qualification this season.

Rooney made an attempt to move away from Manchester in 2010 but was convinced to stay by then manager Sir Alex Ferguson. However, 3 years later, Rooney was slowly fading under the influence of Robin Van Persie and was not receiving the kind of game-time a player of his stature needed. That was clearly a concern for the Englishman who asked SAF to put him up for sale in the upcoming transfer window. However, Ferguson retired and new appointment David Moyes assured that Rooney wanted to stay and he was not for sale. But after a turbulent season for Manchester United where even Champions League qualification seem like a far cry, it will be logical for Rooney to move on to a better club.

The recent big money signing of Juan Mata can prove to be the turning point in what seems to be a mediocre season for Manchester United so far. Mata is a player of quality and he has proved himself at the top level. In the three seasons he spent at Chelsea, he won the Chelsea player of the year award twice in a row, the first one being in his debut season for the Blues. The signing of Mata may well be the end of Manchester United’s sorrows. Rooney will also benefit hugely by having a player of Mata’s quality playing behind him.

All being said, Mata’s signing can actually be a threat for Wayne Rooney. Mata prefers to play in the no. 10 role. In the presence of Van Persie, Rooney plays in the same position as Mata. Now the Spaniard’s arrival can result in Rooney being sidelined and only used as a back-up for Van Persie. On the other hand, Manchester United can shift from their usual 4-2-3-1 to a 4-4-2(diamond) or 3-5-2 which will see both Rooney and Van Persie playing upfront ahead of Mata. But if Moyes fails to come up with a solution and is forced to play Rooney on either of the wings or field him on the bench, it will only worsen United’s chances of keeping hold of the Englishman. The prospects of other clubs who will use him in his preferred position will surely attract Rooney.

Many top European clubs will be interested in signing Rooney for a decent price if he is made available. Clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal have shown interest in signing the forward in the past. Mourinho remains interested in the England striker, having failed in a bid to land him last summer. Wenger also would love to have an established striker like Rooney playing ahead of a superb Arsenal midfield consisting of Özil, Wilshere, Ramsey, Walcott and others. Despite the domestic interests, Manchester United will be reluctant to sell Rooney to a direct rival for obvious reasons. They will look to sell Rooney to other European rivals instead. Rooney has been linked to PSG, Barcelona and Real Madrid in the past. A move to different country and a different league seems to be just as likely for the forward. Rooney has 18 months left on his contract, meaning United may be forced to sell him this summer to ensure they do not lose him for nothing at the end of next season. But Moyes is trying his level best to get Rooney’s signatures on a new contract.

He said: ‘The club will deal with that. They will do all the things they need to do, no question.’

If Manchester United are to lose Rooney, they will hope it would happen this summer as they will be able to cash in on him and use that money to bring in a replacement. However, Rooney being one of the most significant players for United for a long time, Red Devils will try their best to make him sign a new contract.