Source: Daily_Mail
Wayne's world exposed: Court battle to reveal Rooney has made £35m fortune
Nice little earner: United star Wayne Rooney (top)[LNB]It has not been a good couple of days for England's star footballers. First, captain John Terry's affair became public knowledge. Now Wayne Rooney is at the centre of a courtroom battle over a slice of his astronomical earnings. [LNB]Rooney's former agents are suing the Manchester United striker and his wife Coleen for more than £4million in unpaid commission, and the sight of another dispute involving a senior England player heading for court in World Cup year will cause consternation at the FA and for manager Fabio Capello as he considers Terry's position as captain. [LNB]However, far from casting a cloud over Rooney's future, the details about his gilded lifestyle that will be up for discussion at Manchester Mercantile Court over the next three weeks will only cement his status as one of the best and most marketable players on the planet. [LNB]A breakdown of Rooney's £35m fortune has been revealed in documents presented in court as part of a long-running dispute with the James Grant Group, who are claiming for loss of earnings since the player's adviser Paul Stretford left to set up his own company in 2008. [LNB]The group have a number of high-profile clients, including Simon Cowell and Ant and Dec. [LNB]The documents confirm that Rooney earns a basic salary of £90,000 a week at Old Trafford, although that figure is set to rise beyond the £150,000-a-week mark when he is handed a new deal by his club this summer. [LNB]He also receives a staggering £760,000 a month for his image rights, £1m a year from a sponsorship deal with Nike and £118,689 every six months from EA Sports.[LNB] Enlarge [LNB]Add to that £3.55m from a five-book contract plus £600,000 a year froma four-year deal with Coca-Cola - plus his wife's earnings from OK!magazine and TV show Coleen's Real Women - and it is easy to see howthe couple can afford a £3.5m mansion in the Cheshire countryside and afleet of luxury cars.[LNB]It also emphasises that, at the age of 24, Rooney is a player at the peak of his powers both on and off the pitch, having justified all the hype and expectation when he first exploded on to the scene as a raw 16-year-old at Everton. [LNB]United have harnessed the potential, the boundless enthusiasm and competitive edge and turned him into a truly world-class player.[LNB] Handing him a central striking role and the task of replacing Cristiano Ronaldo's goal output was not a bad idea either. Rooney is in the form of his life and on course for his best season, with 22 goals so far. He has become a talisman for Sir Alex Ferguson's side and an unstoppable force for his opponents. [LNB]He scored all four as United beat Hull 4-0, a late winner to book a place in the Carling Cup final at the expense of Manchester City and his 100th Premier League goal in a 3-1 win at Arsenal on Sunday. [LNB]No wonder United are anxious to tie him to a new deal and ward off any more unwanted advances from Real Madrid. [LNB] Not for sale: United insist Rooney will not leave for any price[LNB]Chief executive David Gill insists Rooney is not for sale at any price but Ferguson knows the player is too grounded to have his head turned. [LNB]The United manager said: 'He's very happy at the club. He's down to earth and won't change, because that's who he is. That's refreshing in this day and age of celebrity-type footballers with lots of money when some people do change with success.[LNB] 'He's the main man, there's no doubt about that. He's always been a striker but he wanted to improve his record in front of goal and he has developed. Experience is always the key issue with players with potential. Only when they get older do they get that maturity. I had that as a player when I got to 24.' [LNB]Marriage and fatherhood have also helped Rooney mature. He and Coleen used to be regulars in the nightspots around Cheshire or Manchester, but with three-month-old Kai to look after these days they are rarely seen out.[LNB] [LNB]Lifestyle change: Rooney says he has matured since he has become a father and now goes to bed early[LNB]'He's doing well,' said Rooney as he spoke candidly about family life at a function last week. 'Over the last year my lifestyle's changed so much. I used to go to bed at one o'clock in the morning and now it's 10.30pm. It's been a big change.' [LNB]Gone are the Aston Martin Vanquish and the Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder as well. Since his son was born, Rooney has been out and bought an Audi estate and a BMW 4x4. [LNB]One thing that has not changed, however, is the endeavour he brings to the team every game. Although Ferguson insists he will give his striker a rest at some stage, Rooney continues to spearhead the attack.[LNB] It has led to concerns over his workload going into the World Cup when Rooney will walk on to the biggest stage of all carrying the hopes of a nation and, possibly, the captain's armband as well.[LNB] If United reach the Champions League final, it is feasible he could play as many as 60 games by the time he arrives in South Africa. But he is not complaining. [LNB]'It's the way I've been brought up,' said Rooney. 'My mum and dad brought me up to be the best I can, and try and win in everything I do. If I feel like I can do something to help my team-mates I will. [LNB]'I'm very happy here. My family live 30 minutes away. I'm perfectly happy and there is no reason to play my football anywhere else. Manchester United are the biggest club in the world.' [LNB]Rooney has come a long way from Croxteth and his fortune proves it. Whatever happens in court over the next few weeks, even if he is forced to part with that £4m, things could be far worse in Wayne's world. [LNB] The Wayne Rooney phenomenon - Just how does Manchester United's red-hot striker do it?How Wayne Rooney will scoop the jackpot if he stays at UnitedManchester United's latest Rio Ferdinand ban appeal risks defender's Carling Cup final chanceMANCHESTER UNITED FC
