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Wayne Rooney the first problem for David Moyes at Manchester United
DAVID MOYES checked in as the new manager yesterday facing a battle to convince England’s Wayne Rooney to stay.
Rooney, it is thought, is still intent on quitting despite the departure from Manchester United of Sir Alex Ferguson.
It was thought Rooney would have a change of heart after verbally asking for a move three weeks ago – before he knew of Ferguson’s plan to retire from United and their decision to appoint Moyes, the man who launched him on to the big stage at Everton back in 2002.
But after enduring the most frustrating season of his nine seasons with United, Rooney believes he needs a fresh start and a new challenge, despite having two years left on a contract worth about £250,000 a week.
His pride was dented by being substituted in 10 matches and left on the bench in six others, including the biggest of United’s season, the Champions League game with Real Madrid in the second leg of the last 16.
Ferguson, unhappy at both Rooney’s form and fitness, washed his hands of the England striker in his last press conference on Friday, declaring this was now Moyes’ problem to resolve. Previously, he had insisted United would not sell.
But if Moyes cannot convince the player that his future lies with the champions, he will be forced to take the view that there would be no point in keeping an unsettled player who does not want to play for him or the club and put him up for sale with a £30million valuation.
Chelsea and Arsenal are reported to be monitoring all these developments but United are unlikely to want tosell to a Premier League rival.
However, Rooney’s options abroad look limited.
He and the rest of United’s players were not present when Moyes was shown around the Carrington training base by United’s outgoing chief executive David Gill and Ferguson.
Moyes and Ferguson were seen arriving at United’s training base in a car driven by kit manager Albert Morgan.
He was introduced to the training-ground staff and shown the facilities at the recently revamped complex.
Moyes also has to decide on the futures of Ferguson’s right-hand men, the coaches Mike Phelan and Rene Meulensteen.