Klaus wrote:

I doubt we could afford his wages though, James. The deal he was offered by United would have had him earn almost twice as much as Cesc does. It's the main reason Chelsea or City are far more likely destinations.

Can you see Chelsea signing him, the way they've handled their contract situation at the club over the past 2 years?

I can see them signing him for the lone reason that they'd give him the wages he'd want. And because they're the reigning champions. I can see City signing him for the reason that they'd pay even more than Chelsea, and because they are in an excellent position to benefit from the turmoil in English football at the moment. But us? Arsenal isn't very attractive from Rooney's perspective, I'd imagine. We haven't won anything in five years. And we have a wage cap.

He's 25, so he'd have to average 20 goals a season for the next 5 years, to do it. There won't be many in Europe, at the highest level, who manage that. I'd confidently predict whoever signs Rooney will be getting that return

Lots of reports seem to be trying to imply Rooney was tapped up by City. If he were to go there, you'd have to think it likely that he has been speaking to them for a few months already.

This £250,000/w figure is nuts.

not sure why rooney is betraying anyone. sure, i guess he told everyone he'd be a united player for life, but players say stuff like that all the time. the only thing that matters is whether he's contractually obligated to be a united player. he's a free agent in 18 months and he's entitled not to re-sign with united if he doesn't want to.

Klaus wrote:

I think it's very surprising that you're siding with Rooney on this one. I just can't imagine any possible scenario where his actions are justified. The more we hear about this whole story the clearer it gets that he was tapped up (and possibly had fallen out with certain persons at United). I'm sure Rooney will try to justify his actions at some point but what Ferguson said is pretty much what every supposed insider source has been buzzing about for the last few weeks.

Ferguson has never done anything like this before, not even after players have left United. It speaks volumes to me.

What have we heard though?

You honestly think Rooney wants to leave United because he was tapped up by City? You genuinely don't think there's more to it than that. Do you know how much United would be willing to pay him?

Ferguson's words today were "we are prepared to pay him in-line with the highest earners in this country" (I'm paraphrasing). I'd be so stunned if this was all just a matter of money.

Maybe I'll be proven wrong, and he'll link up with City, earning a fortune, but if this story doesn't have a lot more substance to it than what Fergie spewed out earlier, then I'll eat my hat.

Well, if he's entertaining the idea of a move to Man City, he's considering breaking a trust he knows full well is implied when you become the idol of a hundred million gurning United fans.

Not technically a betrayal, I suppose. Within his rights.

It'd make him a bigger whore of a cunt than William Gallas, that's for sure.

BBC's Dan Roan is suggesting it's a question of ambition and that Rooney is displeased with United's reliance on its older names, rather than following a process of regeneration.

As Ricky said, he's been top-notch for a few seasons now, the only difference last season was that more was expected of him in terms of goal return and he duly delivered.

Don Pacifico wrote:

BBC's Dan Roan is suggesting it's a question of ambition and that Rooney is displeased with United's reliance on its older names, rather than following a process of regeneration.

Thats absolute bullshit. Theres no way you could claim to leave United and go to City because you are ambitious. Not yet.

If he wants to go to City I think the whole thing will get very, very ugly. Which would be great TBH.

Would rather he went to City than Chelsea too. They're going to sign quality anyway no matter what and Fergie struggled to get the best from Rooney and Tevez together so I can't see Mancini figuring it out. Plus Chelsea are an ageing side, last thing we should want to see is them getting a young star they can build around for the future.

James wrote:

It'd make him a bigger whore of a cunt than William Gallas, that's for sure.

He's been a whore since the day he left Everton. Leaving is one thing but the way he did showed he has zero loyalty. No surprise thats come back to bite United in the arse.

It is funny to hear Utd fans whining about loyalty etc considering the furore caused when he left Everton, his childhood club.

By the way: surely this idea that Torres will go to United if Rooney leaves can't be too serious. It'd make this the most incestuous league on the planet.

This whole affair is beautiful. For the last few seasons, all I've heard from United fans is "Arsenal, spend some money" as if all football teams have a limitless supply of funds, and "Arsenal are a selling club", and other related disses.

Well, f&$k them. I hope Rooney goes to Spain and the funds received go to the USA. I hope Ferguson leaves before Mourinho has a chance to settle in Madrid and they throw the team in the hands of some other manager who will be out of his depth like Roy Hodgson. I hope they find themselves regularly playing against FC United soon. Okay, maybe that's a dream too far!

A lot of the potential Ferguson replacements are hilarious. Most of them in fact. Mourinho's an ugly thought but I'd pretty much love it to be any one of the ex-United players and Fergie protégés currently managing.

Burnwinter wrote:

It'd make this the most incestuous league on the planet.

Ignoring the Italian league?

You can do whatever you want in Italy. Just ask Ibra.

...or the Welsh league.

Don't think Texas have their own 'soccer' league though...