What Wayne Rooney signing a new contract means for Manchester United..

As U turns go it was pretty spectacular. A club in decline, a player disillusioned with life at a club who's ambitions could not match his own, Wayne Rooney appeared set or the Old Trafford exit door.

Two years ago Manchester United were at the very pinnacle of world football. Champions league winners, league champions for the 3rd year in a row, boasting the worlds best player as well as Rooney, the beating heart of the English game, amongst their ranks. The future appeared red.
Fast forward two years and the horizon appeared distinctly warped. Ronaldo had gone to Real Madrid, the mecurially talented Carlos Tevez, now the captain or arch rivals Mnchester City, and now it was Rooney.It would appear the worlds biggest, most famous club would no longer have the team to warrant such stature.

A visibly deflated Sir Alex Ferguson, announced to the gathering hoardes how Rooney was forcing the clubs hand. Refusing to sign a new contract at the club who helped to define Rooney the footballer as well as Rooney the man. Unable to justify a realistic transfer figure with a little over 18 months left on his current deal Manchester United appeared set to make a loss on a player they signed as an 18 year old.

Wise heads perused the inevitable decline of the once great Manchester United, bereft of any trully World class players. A spent force.

And then with with one flick of his wrist Rooney changed everything.

There are a number of different interpretations of the reasons for Rooney's decision. What was it that, in two short days persuaded a player who had openly spoken to the media about his desire to leave a club that could not fulfill his lofty ambitions. To my mind there are three diffeent eventualities:

1) Rooney has been persuaded by the board and Sir Alex Ferguson of imminent funds for replacements either in January or next summer. Or has been convinced by the playing potential of the current squad.

2)Manchester United have met, or have been close to meeting Rooney's astronomical £200,000 + a week wage demands where other potential suitors, Manchester City aside, have refused.

3) Or there is the cynical perspective that Rooney still wants to leave. That he has mearly acted selflessly and in the interests of the club by signing his contract so that, in the Summer when he does want to leave Manchester United can demand a fair and accurate transfer fee for a player o his ability and stature.

For whatever reason he has done it, that Rooney has signed a new contract is irrefutible. Why, and eventually if, he was right is a story that will be played out on the pitch, board rooms and financial statements of Manchester United in the months and years to come.