Source: Daily_Mail
Wayne Rooney under fire: Mob of Manchester United fans gather outside house
[LNB]Notorious hooligan crew gather outside striker's mansion as anger grows The gang of more than 30 warn Rooney not to join bitter rivals Man CityThe striker insists trophies, not money is reason behind decision to quitSources predict he will never play for the Manchester United againA furious mob of Manchester United hooligans gathered outside Wayne Rooney's mansion last night to warn the striker not to join their bitter city rivals.[LNB]While Rooney, wife Coleen and baby son Kai were holed up inside more than 30 men - some covering their faces with balaclavas - massed outside waving a banner declaring 'Join City and die'.[LNB]The baying mob repeatedly buzzed the intercom of the £4.5million house and demanded the wantaway striker came out to face them.[LNB] Sinister: Rooney was home when a mob of United fans turned up at his front gate[LNB] [LNB] Police were called at around 8.30pm and Manchester United also sent their own private security staff wearingstab vests in an attempt to defuse the flash point.[LNB]In action: Rooney joined United in 2004 from Everton[LNB] And last night ex-England manager Graham Taylor warned Rooney, 25 on Sunday, would need 'protection for the rest of his life' if he crossed Manchester and joined super-rich City.[LNB]The gang are thought to be from the notorious Men in Black hooligan crew who have previously targeted Rio Ferdinand when he stalled on contract negotiations and David Beckham after United were beaten in a European match.[LNB]A neighbour called the police after spotting the gang outside the house in the village of Prestbury, Cheshire. [LNB]A Manchester United source said: 'A few of them shouted at Rooney over his intercom. They were calling him names and saying, "If you leave Man United we're going to kill you".'[LNB] Cheshire Police confirmed anincident had occurred in the affluent village south east of Manchester,but refused to give further details.[LNB]Aspokesman for the force said: 'Cheshire Police can confirm that a callwas received from a resident in Prestbury regarding 20 to 30 peopleassembling outside their address.[LNB]'Police attended the scene and the group dispersed peacefully. No offences were disclosed.'[LNB]Protection: Police and security staff were called after the mob demanded Rooney came out to face them[LNB] Men in Black: The gang warned the striker not to join their bitter rivals Man City after he demanded a transfer[LNB] On Wednesday United's one-nil Champions League win over Turkish champions Bursaspor was a sideshow as the war of words raged on between Rooney and manager Sir Alex Ferguson. [LNB]Yesterday Sir Alex and the club's chief executive, David Gill, met to decide their next move.[LNB]In a statement the club said: 'We are aware that there is intense public and media interest on the club at the moment, but there are no developments of note to report," read an official club statement.[LNB]'We can confirm a number of meetings have taken place today, including with the player's representative.[LNB] 'The outcome of those meetings will become clear in the near future. In the meantime, fans are asked to be patient.'[LNB]Rooney dropped his bombshell transfer request just hours before the kick-off on Wednesday shocking fans in side Old Trafford. [LNB]He claimed was leaving because the club were not prepared to invest in world-class players to win trophies.[LNB]And he said he was 'surprised' by the version of events given by Sir Alex in his press conference on Tuesday.[LNB] Mansion: More than 30 men gathered outsidethe gates (top left) of Rooney's mansion in Prestbury, Cheshire[LNB] [LNB] [LNB] [LNB]No mercy: Crowd won't forgive[LNB] Rooney said: 'I met with David Gill (Man United chief executive) last week and he did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad. Then I told him I would not be signing a new contract.'[LNB]After the match Ferguson hit back saying his star will not find a better club.[LNB]And commenting on the fact it was his 2,000th match in charge of United, he said: 'After the week I have had it feels more like my 10.000th game.'[LNB]As star player and manager fought it out, another leading figure in the Rooney saga was enjoying the limelight.[LNB]There seems to be no way back for Rooney with Manchester United and it seems certain he will leave in the January transfer window.[LNB]His statement, released without the approval of the club, challenged Ferguson's authority.[LNB]Ferguson - who pointed out he had won 30 trophies - believes Manchester United deserves better.[LNB]SinceRooney moved to United from Everton six years ago he has won a EuropeanCup, three Premier League titles, a world club championship and three League Cups.[LNB] ROO's Mr 20 PER CENTPaul Stretford is the football agent who became a multi-millionaire from just one client - Wayne Rooney. [LNB]The former vacuum cleaner salesman founded Proactive Sports Management in 1987 and signed the teenage Rooney at Everton.[LNB]Duringa legal action resulting from the acquisition of Rooney, Stretford was branded an 'unreliable witness' leading to the trial collapsing.[LNB]TheFA charged him with misconduct and after a failed appeal Stretford was fined £300,000 and banned from working as an agent for 18 months.[LNB]Accordingto the Sunday Times Rich List Rooney is worth £25million. Paul Stretford is on 20 per cent - and another big payday looms.[LNB]The player's statement said: 'I was interested to hear what Sir Alex had to say yesterday and surprised by some of it.[LNB]'It is absolutely true, as he said, that my agent and I have had a number of meetings with the club about a new contract. During those meetings in August I asked for assurances about the continued ability of the club to attract the top players in the world.[LNB]'I have never had anything but complete respect for MUFC. How could I not have done given its fantastic history and especially the last six years in which I have been lucky to play a part?'[LNB]'For me its all about winning trophies - as the club has always done under Sir Alex. Because of that I think the questions I was asking were justified.[LNB]'Despite recent difficulties, I know I will always owe Sir Alex Fergusona huge debt. He is a great manager and mentor who has helped and supported me from the day he signed me from Everton when I was only 18.[LNB]'For Manchester United's sake I wish he could go on forever because he's a one off and a genius.'[LNB]On Tuesday Ferguson questioned the striker's respect for the club.[LNB]He said: 'I was in the office on August 14 when David Gill told me he'd had a call from (Rooney's) agent saying that Wayne wasn't going to sign his contract.[LNB]'So then David came across to see me. He said he couldn't believe it and neither could I.[LNB]'I was dumbfounded, I couldn't understand it at all because only months before he'd said he was at the biggest club in the world and he wanted to stay for life.[LNB]'We just don't know what's changed the boy's mind. David was shocked, I was shocked.[LNB] Preparations: Workers transport scaffolding into the Rooney estateahead of the star's 25th birthday party[LNB]'I had a meeting with the boy and he reiterated what his agent had said.He wanted to go. I said to him, "Just remember one thing: respect this club. I don't want any nonsense from you, respect your club".[LNB]'What we're seeing now in the media is disappointing because we've done everything we can for Wayne Rooney, since the minute he's come to the club.[LNB]'We've always been there as a harbour for him. Any time he's been in trouble, the advice we've given him - I've even been prepared to give him financial advice, many times.[LNB]'But you do that for your players, not just Wayne Rooney. That's Manchester United. This is a club which bases all its history and its tradition on the loyalty and trust between managers and players and the club.[LNB]'That goes back to the days of Sir Matt. That's what it's founded on. Wayne's been a beneficiary of this help, just as Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and all the players have been. That's what we're there for.'[LNB]If he doesn't play for the club again meaning he could be paid £1millionin wages for doing nothing before he is sold in January.[LNB]But Ferguson left the door open slightly saying: 'There's always an offer there for Manchester United to negotiate with a player. That's still there.'[LNB]Meanwhile a huge marquee was delivered to Rooney's home in preparation for a huge party on Sunday to celebrate his 25th birthday. It is not known if Sir Alex has accepted his invitation.[LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Graham Taylor, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Stretford, David Gill Places: Manchester, United Kingdom
