United begin Rooney contract talks
Manchester United hoping to secure future of Wayne Rooney
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Tuesday, 24, Oct 2006 10:48
Manchester United have confirmed they have entered negotiations with prodigious striker Wayne Rooney over a new, lucrative long-term contract.
Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly keen to tie Rooney, who turned 21 today, to Old Trafford for the next decade and the club's chief executive David Gill is believed to have already held talks with the player's advisor, Paul Stretford.
"Talks have started and both sides are hopeful of a successful conclusion," a United spokesman said.
Reports claim Rooney will be offered a deal worth about £100,000 a week which would bring him into line with the world's highest-paid footballers.
And Ferguson, who persuaded the United board to splash out £27 million on signing Rooney from Everton in 2004, is convinced his star player is fully deserving of the money-spinning contract.
"When we signed Wayne at 18, everyone said 'what will he be like at 21?' Now he's 21 people are saying 'what will he be like at 25?'," he told the Daily Express.
"It was always destined to be that way I guess, because Wayne is truly blessed. He doesn't just have ability, he has a fire inside him, like a lot of young lads who have come into our team.
"Ryan Giggs was the same. But whereas Ryan was only a slip of a lad when he came into the side at 16, we have never needed to nurse Wayne because he has such a phenomenal physique.
"Wayne's enthusiasm is an inspiration to everybody. I don't leave him out too much now because, when I have, he has generally had a face like fizz. That's the kind of character he is. He demonstrates that great hunger and desire all the time. Without doubt, he is the best 21-year-old I have ever had."