It's one of the most controversial happenings in recent football history. Since Sir Alex retired as Manchester United manager, there has been a sense of unease around the United camp over the future and a certain Scouse goal getter. Since he joined in 2004, Wayne Rooney has bought nothing but goals to the Old Trafford faithful, and even after his first season, he was a clear fan favourite.

After it was all going so well, what is it that upset the apple cart? Well, the simply answer is greed. In 2010, after the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez had left the club, Rooney scrutinised United's lack of top quality players. Although the rattled Sir Alex and the club a little, Wayne stayed with the club and was awarded a new deal of £180,000 a week, almost doubling his previous wages.

After that chapter of the saga, United fans settled back down and began to love him again - which was followed a few months later by the unforgettable bicycle kick goal at City. All was going well for Wayne, still grabbing goals and still loved by the fans.



In the summer of 2012, Rooney got his wish as the club completed the signing of the flying Dutchman himself, Robin van Persie. Wayne had got what he wanted, a world class player alongside him in the starting line up. Although this had seemed to be a fantastic signing, it turned out to be where Rooney had shot himself in the foot, as throughout the 2012/13 season, RvP snatched the limelight from Wazza and became the new go-to man for goals.

This ruffled the feathers of Wayne Rooney, and on Sir Alex's departure, the veteran Scotsman announced that Rooney had formally submitted his second transfer request, which was to be denied by the club. Although the Scouseman is now earning money past the £200,000 a week mark, he remained unhappy and unsettled at the club, and this sparked interest from clubs around the world, but most notably, Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid and PSG.

In David Moyes' first press conference at United, it was clearly stated that Rooney was not up for sale, and he would remain at Old Trafford until his contract was up - by which time they would hope Rooney would sign a new contract. Running far infront of the other clubs in the race to sign Rooney is London club Chelsea, who have been rumoured to have offered in excess of £40m, plus Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku.

Moyes has continued to insist that Rooney is staying at the club, despite the two having history between each other. In 2006, Moyes filed a lawsuit against the striker for libel, after the Daily Mail had published extracts from his autobiography, claiming that Moyes had "leaked" Rooney's reasons behind leaving Everton. Moyes won the case, and Rooney was forced to pay £500,000 to Moyes, and he also formally apologised to the Scotsman. With all this behind them though, Moyes insisted Rooney was to stay.



After so many years, and so many goals, it's difficult to see why Rooney would want to leave United. At a club that has made so many legends that have had long and prosperous careers at United, such as Giggs, Neville and Scholes, why is there any reason to leave? At the mere age of 27, Rooney already sits in fourth of United all time top goalscorers, with 197 goals for the Red Devils. When one has the opportunity to brand themselves as a hero for a club, why shun that chance? Rooney is only three goals off of 200, and 53 away from becoming United's all time top goalscorer - that's two season's work if he gets his head down.

All of this links back to greed for Rooney, and that's where his problem lies. He doesn't seem interested in fans' affection or breaking club records, and it seems to be that he's focused on one thing, money. If he is to stay, what will happen? Can United fans forgive him a second time and then act like nothing has happened? There's one thing that is for certain though, and that is that he will have to go out there and earn his place alongside Robin van Persie if he does want a long and prosperous United career.

What do you think about the Rooney saga? Would he have already been out the window if Sir Alex was still in charge? Can he regain fans' affection once again? Leave a comment...