Football Talk - Wayne Rooney set for new deal - 13/11/09
Wayne Rooney expects to negotiate a new deal with Manchester United in the next few months. Rumours have suggested Barcelona and Real Madrid could be interested in the striker, but the 24-year-old has no intention of leaving Old Trafford.
"It is nice to be noticed but I have said before, I am really happy at United," he said. "Unless they tell me otherwise, I can't see myself leaving. I have got two years left on my contract after this year and I am sure we will be negotiating a new deal in the next few months. I love the place. It is 30 minutes from home and all my family, and I have got a great chance of winning trophies."
Rooney has credited manager Sir Alex Ferguson with getting the best out of his players. "That desire comes straight from the top," he added. "After all, Sir Alex Ferguson has won more than anyone. It affords him a reverence no-one else can match. He is special because of the trophies he has won, first of all. But it is also the type of football he wants you to play. He wants you playing attacking football all the time. Sometimes you feel you can't do it but he keeps you going. Even at his age, he still wants to win all the time. It's incredible to see."
Meanwhile, Rooney admitted that he must win the World Cup to join the the true greats of the game. "There are players like George Best and Cristiano Ronaldo who are geniuses,'' he said. "But if you want to be compared to players like Romario and Ronaldo and be up there with them, I feel you have to win a World Cup.
"Ronaldo was one of the best, if not the best, forward ever. When he was at Barcelona, the things he did were incredible. In later years, Ronaldinho and Kaka were both world player of the year. For me to be considered among that group of players, I must win the World Cup with England.''
Rooney admitted that when it comes to natural skill, fellow England player, Joe Cole, is much closer than he is to the style of a Brazilian player. "Obviously, I am happy when people say I play like a Brazilian because I love the way Brazilians play, but there are other players in the England team who are a lot more skilful than me; Joe Cole, for example,'' he said.
"I know Ronaldo was powerful, strong and tough but he was also skilful as well. The time he went clean through, did four stepovers and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, that was one of the best goals I have ever seen. I never really try skills but when you see Joe Cole, he is more skilful than me.''
