Source: FOOTYMAD
Sir Alex Ferguson statement on Rooney - full text
Sir Alex Ferguson has commented in depth about Wayne Rooney's desire to leave Manchester United. [The Manchester United chief executive] David Gill had preliminary talks with his agent at the end of last season, which was to be cont after the World Cup.His agent intimated he wouldn't be signing a contract and he wanted away. It was a shock, I couldn't believe it because in the early discussions as early as March he intimiated he wanted a life contract and was at the best club in the world. It was terribly disappointing to get that news as we couldn't quite understand it. I had a meeting with him and he intimated to me in his own way that he wanted to leave. I said the only thing I want from you Wayne is to respect the club's position and traditions and behave like a professional, and we'll try and see it through.I know David was prepared to offer him a contract that was difficult to offer elsewhere. But we've been facing these kind of players for a while now, the area which has created a lot of the mystery about it as far as we are concerned is the issue with his injury. I've not had an argument with Wayne Rooney at any time. He got an ankle injury in the Rangers game, he was hobbling about before half-time. I spoke to him before the Sunderland game and my planning, based on the fact he wasn't playing so well, was to keep him out of the Sunderland game and give him a 10 day recovery so he could play for England. My hope was that by playing against England at Wembley he could recapture his form and we could kick-on. His entry into the mixed zone created the next stage, when he said he wasn't injured. That was disappointing as we know that he was carrying an injury. The scan showed minor defect in terms of the ankle injury, nothing serious but it needed treatment and has had treatment. We've got to a stage now where I feel we have to keep the door open for him, because he's such a good player. We've done nothing but help him since he came to this club, that is another mystery for us. We've helped him in terms of his private life, he's not the only one who gets that privileged because Man United is that kind of club. You look after your players and that creates a tremendous loyalty, it has always been a good foundation of this club. We're as bemused as anyone can be because we can't quite understand why he'd want to leave a club no one can deny is one of the most successful in British football. We don't understand it. I can't answer any question as to why he is doing it. You can speculate and have your own opinions, but they won't matter a dickie bird. The player says he is adamant he wants to leave. We have to deal with the next part of that.
