Source: Daily_Mail
Wayne Rooney faces 'Join City and you're dead' threat at Nike shop
Wayne Rooney faced more backlash from Manchester United fans today when another death threat was scrawled on a giant city centre banner.[LNB]The striker, who wants to quit United, received an angry mob outside his home on Thursday night as enraged supporters reacted to the possibility of him making a sensational move to arch-rivals Manchester City.[LNB] Outrage: Passers-by were shocked by the message at the Nike store[LNB] Attention grabbing: The damage caught the eye of shoppers on Friday morning[LNB] [LNB]It got worse for Rooney on Friday morning when it emerged that the message 'Join City and you're dead' hadbeen sprayed in huge red letters over a picture of his face on the billboard for the new Nike shop that is due to open at the Arndale Centre.[LNB]Rooney arrived at United's Carrington training ground on Friday morning, although he is unlikely to play on his 25th birthday against Stoke on Sunday.[LNB]The latest message comes just hours after Rooney felt the full force of the anger among supporters over his desire to leave Old Trafford when a group of 40 protesters turned up outside his £4.5million mansion in the upmarket Cheshire village of Prestbury.[LNB] [LNB] Sinister: Rooney was home when a mob of United fans turned up at his front gate[LNB]Cheshire police confirmed that a group of men, some in balaclavas and hooded tops, gathered outside the house late in the evening. A banner bearing the words 'Join City & Die' was unfurled.[LNB]The group buzzed repeatedly on the player's intercom. One man was overheard to say: 'We want to talk to you, Wayne. We want you to explain the real reason you want to leave. We're not going to hurt you.'[LNB]The group - believed to be part of the notorious Men In Black firm - were soon dispersed by police but Rooney is believed to have witnessed the commotion from an upstairs window, with his wife Coleen and baby sonKai also believed to have been inside the house.[LNB] Glum: Rooney leaves his house on Friday morning (above) while private security patrol the Manchester United striker's home (below) following a visit from an angry mob on Thursday night[LNB] [LNB] [LNB]Rooney rang the police as well as alerting the club's private security firm CES.[LNB]A police spokesman said: 'At 8.30pm, a call was received from a resident in Prestbury regarding 20 to 30 people assembling outside their address. Police attended the scene and the group dispersed peacefully.'[LNB] Guard: An officer patrols outside Rooney's house[LNB]Home: Rooney's pad with the front gate (top left)[LNB]The mob's leader, who refused to be identified, told The Sun: 'We don't believe what Rooney has said about his reasons for leaving the club. We want answers.[LNB]'The club is struggling for money but it was struggling for money four months ago - so what's changed?[LNB]'He has got himself in a mess in his private life and we understand if he wants to move abroad but the least we deserve is that he is honest with us. If he goes to City it is going to go off and he'll be seeing us again.'[LNB] The shocking scenes on his own doorstep come after an eventful week in which Rooney's relationship with his club reached breaking point following his demand for a transfer over concerns at United's ability to challenge for trophies and attract the world's top players.[LNB]On Wednesday afternoon Rooney attempted to appease fans by releasing a statement putting his side of the story across and suggesting that he had been backed into a corner after not receiving assurances from chief executive David Gill over the club's ambitions.[LNB] However,the PR exercise backfired, with team-mates, former United stars and supporters lining up to criticise the 24-year-old. [LNB] Hate figure: The Old Trafford faithful have turned on their former idol[LNB] Wayne Rooney receives death threat: Angry fans with 'Join City & Die' banner outside his homeRooney told by Tevez: Join me at City... as United make late bid to keep himIs Rooney right? The Glazers in danger of creating the real... DAMNED UNITEDThe end for Brand Rooney? United ace faces losing millions on sponsorshipWhere next for Wayne Rooney? Simon Jones analyses the contenders...The big debate: Holloway, Bruce and Sven on the Rooney scandal[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Wayne Rooney, David Gill
