Source: Manchester_EveningNews
Golden boy Rooney can broker own United deal
Man of the moment Wayne Rooney will be able to write his own new record-breaking contract, effectively keeping him at Old Trafford for life. The Reds striker has hit world-class form at a perfect time, keeping United in the title race and firing them to Wembley for the Carling Cup final with five goals in as many days, taking his tally this season to 21 so far. And off the pitch, with the Reds' faithful increasingly restless over revelations over the Glazers' huge level of debt, it would be unthinkable for him to be sold to any number of his suitors such as Real Madrid or Barcelona even for a world record fee topping the £80m Real paid United for Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer. Rooney, dubbed the White Pele by supporters who regard him as the team's talisman, is fast approaching legend status - and has even started to celebrate his goals in the understated manner similar to icon of yesteryear George Best. Sir Alex Ferguson hailed a world-class performance from Rooney after his dramatic stoppage-time winner sank City on Wednesday. Rooney, 24, had pledged that he wants to stay with the Reds and with his five-year contract up for renewal, he will be able to demand and get £170,000 a week - leap-frogging Rio Ferdinand to become the club's highest-ever earner. And he has already emerged as the overwhelming favourite to be named PFA Player of the Year after Wednesday's display, when he edged out ex-Red Carlos Tevez in the battle of the hot-shots. Carrick view Michael Carrick, who hopes to be on the plane for the World Cup in South Africa with Rooney, spoke for the United dressing room when he said he believed the player, on whom England's chances of glory in Johannesburg hinge, just keeps on improving. As someone who knew Rooney as a team-mate with England long before he made the move from Tottenham in 2006, Carrick has been well aware of the striker's qualities for quite some time. But even he has been staggered at the ease with which Rooney has settled into the void left by the shock exit of Ronaldo to Real Madrid. "Wayne is awesome," said Carrick. "He just keeps improving. When I first came to the club I thought he was a great player. Three years on he is even better. "You have to give him a lot of credit because this season especially he has taken on a lot more responsibility." Fabio Capello will cross his fingers that Roo's goal-scoring run extends well beyond the end of the club campaign. The one positive is that Rooney rarely shows any sign of being tired. Even when Ferguson finally decides he can face a match without him, the grumbles will probably be heard back on his native Merseyside. Rooney's tally for the season is just two short of his best effort. The player is settled to life living in Cheshire with a celebrity wife Coleen and new-born son. He has in part put his form of his life down to Capello who urged him to play further forward in a more central role. What do you think? Have your say.
