Couldn't agree more

Couldn't agree more. You don't bite the fingers from which you are fed.

Your report is wrong. Wayne is right. Too many MU stars are 30 or more. The club is deep in debt and cannot buy new young stars. the days of MU are over – - and I'm NOT a Man City fan. Wayne is ambitious whereas MU can no longer be ambitious. Wayne's World will undoubtedly be some place else.

WHY ALL THIS COMMENTS, THE BOY HAS MADE THE RIGHT DECISION, TO MOVE ON WITH HIS LIFE, PLEASE WISH HIM WELL.

ROONEY. what is situation change him??? i don't understand. please i hope ROONEY play soccer in manU .T_T

Baddoo said it all, we're bigger than badge kissers!!

I AGREE with this article.

I'd have to blame his PR. Poorly done whatever the priority hidden agenda is. One guess is he and his agents just want more money from a move (ie. real madrid, man city, etc...) though by saying Man U is unambitious REALLY discredits his club and ultimately himself.

BAD BAD PR move.....

Rooney's recent antics is no news aftrall big players around d world have allowed d trappings of fame becloud their sense of judgement. For him to assert dat man u is not ambitous enough, is an indictment on d club owners, players, coaches and ultimately, on himself too.

What a silly article, take Ferguson's word as gospel – anyone who's watched the last 20 years of English football know him as somewhat like a politician in his blinkered view, at worst would point to to his arrogant and aggressive and lying nature)

Yes Rooney like nearly all Footballers (Matt Le Tissier being last notable exception) he'll follow money and his career, why should Man Utd be any different, they've always bought great players from poorer clubs, yet sulk when players leave them.

And for the hard of memory writer, Rooney was extremely highly rated before going to Man U, Euro 2004 anyone? The only 'development' he's had at Man U is the same as Roy Keane, he's now la oud mouthed, violent cheat – the true graduate of Ferguson.

Being from Brazil and having seen Pelé and other gods who were loyal to their clubs until the very end I find it hard to digest Rooney. Sure, times have changed but I can't help having a soft spot for the Ryan Giggs of this era.

The guy is not comfortable with the team (ManUtd) structure anymore. Not even the National Team. His play role is being contested by the intro of Hernandez and Bebe. Let him go and get refreshed somewhere...

Some fans held up a banner at the game last night – it read : " Who's the Wh*^e now, Wayne "... Absolutely spot on Mr. Baddoo.... No one is bigger than the club... good riddance to Shrek....Glory Glory Man United !!

Terry, seems u are a MU and SAF admirer. However, I believe articles by Season journalist like you should no neutral, without taking side.

I think Rooney is right to go. Fergie has been making some bad errors of late. Look at the departure of Tevez and Pique and the loaning of welbeck and cleverly, Fergie must accept he's getting to old to keep up with the game. MU is finding it hard to attract world class player like sneijer for example. Let's take a look at Fergie and not Rooney.

"Once a blue, always a blue." Perhaps Manchester United fans now know how Everton fans felt? Actually, they don't. Because Everton produced the Premier League striker but never got to enjoy the fruits of their labour, instead whilst Everton had to nuture and carry Rooney through his first steps, once he was ready to explode onto the big stage it was Manchester United who enjoyed the benefits of a young, instantly able Premier League striker after they successfully tapped him up (Rooney was not for sale, neither was Stam nor Carrick nor Hargreaves nor Berbatov etc). What goes around comes around. Why wasn't there more fuss when Tevez left? Its since been proven beyond doubt that Tevez is better than Rooney. Ferguson is and always will be a chequebook manager. If he wasn't, he'd breeze through the next few seasons challenging for trophies whilst turning Macheda, Gibson and Rafael into world beaters. Unfortunately for Manchester United fans, Ferguson is no Wenger. Without money Manchester United will soon drop out of the top 4, Ferguson will retire and blame Glazer for the clubs decline and not the decades of hand-to-mouth big spending.

Wayne is only arrogant and not ambitious. He hasnot reached the level of Ronaldo, yet Ronaldo left without being arrogant. What else does he want to win-he has won almost everything with United and not Everton.

If he is really ambitious, he should stop playing for England because he will not win anything with England

Gerray Thomas... Get your facts right before you post. United have 14 players in their current first team squad under 22 years old, and as fergie put it, in 2004 Roy Keane didn't think Rooney or Ronaldo (amongst others were good enough); out went Keane to fizzle out his career at celtic and on went United to win 3 of the next 6 leagues and 1 champions league in the seasons that followed!!

So whose to say fergie hasnt got it right again... you can almost set your clock by fergie removing a chunk of a dwindling team every 4-5 years and building a new dominant one from youth, that has ALWAYS gone on to win trophies.

And just so you yanks are all aware, UEFA is placing a wage cap on teams next year so you'll be shocked at how small Man City's squad will get once that comes in and Rooney will find himself sharing the dressing room with SWP, Glen Johnson and James Milner as all the money-grabbing foreigners jump ship!!

Not Bigger but Equal

Please let me remind Mr. Baddoo that football clubs and football coaches for that matter have first and for most the club's and not the player's interest at heart.

If a player is not considered an asset to the club, he is traded without much hesitation. It happens all the time. Why then the double standard?

I can not agree any less than to let the whole world know that United is Bigger than an Individual.

Rooney should grow up please. If he is complaining about MAN U, then he should go to Chelsea since its the only club that can complete with United in England except he wants to leave England. Am sure he will feel worse in Chelsea.

Great blog Terry! Rock it!

Wazza is wrong who is to say red knights or some other oil guy will not succeed in buying manutd and its debt. you cannot just make such a sweeping blanket statement. it shows disrespect for team members and fans . Are the fans and team members to panic because wazza crystalball or sage football management mind has written them off? i dont think so.he should have just stated his right to try something new if he is too embarassed to say that he wants more money now that new money boys have raised the bar on salaries.

This article is incredibly flawed. By examining the actions of Rooney, rather than current state of the club, the writer pre-supposes guilt on the part of the player.

Meanwhile, whenever "debt" gets mentioned, not even the most cursory look is taken as to why that debt exists, who caused it to exist, and why ManU's is so much worse than say, Chelsea's or Arsenal's.

That is why all Ferguson can do is talk about the up and coming talent, and how good they are at judging it – because there will BE no solid, proven transfers to back up Rooney. Rooney asked these questions this summer, he got his answers...and he isn't willing to kill himself fighting a lost cause against teams owned by better owners – owners that are not treating their franchises as assets to be leveraged, but as crown jewels in their personal empires to be polished.

But this "article" doesn't really delve into the root causes, it just wants to punish Rooney for being a tall poppy...a very poor effort, and of course one that allows the Glasers to escape their considerable share of the blame...

what a disgrace... Im a die hard Man Utd Fan, and after what he said..he should just leave.. he do not deserve to play another match as a man utd player... Its all about money.. Kissing the badge with shame...

I definately dont wish he well in his future...

right on point with the article.
i just hope real madrid dont go wanting to sign the "pug faced assasin" at all cost.
hopefully higuain and bezeama steps up their performance

Rooney is a disgrace, with his performance in the World Cup for England and his lack luster performance lately with ManU. I will help him pack his luggage, GOOD RIBONS and grow up.

So now Rooney has no respect to the club? Come on, what happen when he left Everton? Its not true that it Manchester who made him, he was going to be a big name anyway. What goes around, comes around. Swallow it!

Rooney isn't a slave,
ManU gave him a platform thats all, Rooney paid back with providing trophies (almost single handedly last season)

And people now seem to forget what Rooney was used for, RUNNING RUNNING RUNNING all over the pitch, Which modern striker would have done what Rooney did at Man U running and providing support all over the pitch.

He isn't even a Manchster boy hes from another city altogether, so question of Loyalty is wrong. He's not Schools or Neville.

Rooney haters need to find something better to do. maybe they are frustrated ManU supporters just scared at the future, maybe.

Terry is right.No one player is bigger than any club especially not Man United.Rooney should just be transferred quickly and the club move on.Beckham,Vanisteroy,Ronaldo and charismatic skipper Roy Keane have all moved but United still remains United.
Up Red Devils!!!!

united will always be united.
this idiot needs to go now. who does he think he is? he is an overated striker that cant deliver. i dont know why he is still playing for england. what a waste of money. even when he goes..united will still win games.....

This is sad, him being an englishman and all that. hypothetically, ronaldo handled his wish to leave united better.

Rooney leaving united is a choice he made, regardless of the decision being right or wrong, it was handled badly.

Many major stars have made the same move Ronaldo left to go to real madrid.
I think cnn is suffering from lack of writers and content.
If he is unhappy he has the right to leave one amn does make the team.

What's Rooney done wrong?
He's not refusing to play, he's said that he won't sign another contract. Manchester United offered him the contract he's currently on so they must have been happy with it at the time. The only reason they are not happy now is because unless they sell him early they don't get any money back.
What other profession can't you walk away from when your contract has expired.
It's not about Rooney wanting money or disrespecting the club, it's about the club wanting money.

Secondly Rooney is a overhyped overpaid player who does not possess God given skills you can see that in that world cups he has played when real stars are the pitch, he is no where to be found.
Out of all the MANU players that have won all the silver name me 2 that are still there the longest serving MANU player is Giggs ryan Giggs and if he possess more skill than Rooney will ever have.
Stick to NFL .
Cnn if you are going to post a comment like this let a former player in the english league comment.

I TOTALLY AGREE!!!!!

And i thought Ronaldo was a bit disappointing!!! but Rooney is the biggest disappointment of all!!
How can he say that after all the good things he has lived at manchester united!?

if he stays he has to change the attitude and well gain the trust of us fans.
if he leaves, hmm he would have to go to a lower level team to be playing 90 mins all games!
I do wish him the best as one of the comments above say but C'MON!!! if he leaves i would have trouble applauding him if he comes back to Old Trafford!!!
like Baddoo said: it's "a stake through the heart of his Manchester United boss, his Manchester United teammates, and Manchester United fans worldwide."

him is cool but not so loved.le im gosome place els for to play which want him to.

i have heard everyone comment on rooney leaving cos man u is not ambitious enough.I am a fan of chelsea and my question is why hasn't gerrard left liverpool?i think that kid called rooney is screwed and has messed up his career cos no club will be willing to buy a player with such attitude.When the going was good he runs to hold ferguson,now the going is not so good and he wants to quit.

I sincerely think Rooney has right to decide where to play his game,who cares about manchester united feelings!

Rooney is one of the best , sorry to see him go, all the best to Wayne

i am doubtly if he is doing the right decision because....what i think his next stop would be Madrid which to him is definitely wrong,he will lost as his England colleagues did.

I totally agree. But it is still a bit weird why it has gone this way. You can tell from Rooney's actions on the field that he has his head on straight (never greedy with the ball, always acknowledges a great pass to him, etc)
Now this appears out of character. Someone or something has gotten to him and we do not know what that is yet. Fergie is a very wise man and you can tell he is in mystery too.

Mr Terry B., your article is spot on. Rooney's deecision is shocking and disrespectful... Well, to hell with him. I can't say I wish him well 'cos I don't. How dare you, Wayne?

I have thought about this myself and came up with the sam conclusion after reading Rooney's statement. In fact i even wrote as much on another blog. Manchester United has always been known for taking young raw talent and turning them into superstars whilst at the same time breaking a few transfer records in players they have brought to the club. What i am confused abut is what assurances did Rooney want and what assurances couldn't Gill make. Surely he would have said, "Wayne, this is Manchester United, we are always in the market t ocompete for the worlds best players, the only thing we cannot guarantee is that these players will come. We can not force them to come". That surely must be good enough Especially as Rooney knows that unless SAF really wants somene, he will no lnger be prepared to spend silly money for the sake of it. For example, if we spent 70 million on 1 player, his wages would be around 250k per week. That is more than twice what anyone else is getting. It wont be long before the resto f the squad want big pay increases and that will only lead to more trouble. Therefore i really do not believe that Rooney's explaination is the real reason. The only benefit i will give him is that he knows something about United that we don't. If that is the case, then he is either showing loyalty by keeping his mouth shut and taking the abuse on his shoulders or he should just come clean. Clearly his reasons are not viable ones so in the meantime, the world believes that Rooney is doing this purely for money. That being the case, it is his agents behind it and they are simply manipulating their clients current unhappiness for their own financial benefit. Perhaps what Camp Rooney should realise is that the way he has and is conducting himself will not lead to endorsement deals that he currently enjoys. Therefore, he may get more salary and all the transfer money but that will pale into insignificance against what he would have earned in spnsorship. In my opinion, if Rooney were to follow Ryan Giggs example, stay at united for life, continue winning trophies, not only would he possible go down as the biggest United legend of them all but he has the potential to be the highest earning English sports star of them all and that includes Beckham. So you can imagine how much money we are talking about. The only way to achieve this is loyalty, charachter and success on the pitch. Remember, Becks was pushed, he didn't jump. Rooney is jumping! Camp Rooney are cutting off their nose to spite their face. With this attitude, i couldn't care less whether he went to City or anywhere else. I hope he stays and sorts it out but if he can't then, i am afraid he is making one of the biggest mistakes in modern football histroy

club has been there for years.....made great players, sold them, bought them, always looking after its players interest and foremost the clubs interest.., UNITED FIRST
THERE IS A SAYING: it goes:
i hope your ego gets bigger than you can handle, because thats what going to lead to YOUR catastrophic fall,
united fed him, made him, huge international star, and this is how he repays them.
longe live united,many Rooneys will come and go

Ferguson's probable views in poetry:

Be Rooney fairer than the day,
Or the whitest flowers of May,
If he thinks not well of me,
What care I how fair he be?

the same club that didn't win anything last season
and are already 5 behind

can't blame him

This is the best written article on the subject. Completely agree. I can see up to a point how Rooney is thinking this way – and the 8 or so games at the start of this season have been less than stellar, but it's not a well thought out decision. He's saying the Club in which he's won 3 league titles and 1 champions league medal isn't good enough for him! Still, I hope he doesn't live to regret it because he's a great footballer.

I really enjoyed this article, as an Everton fan I'm inclined to come to Rooney's defense. Although it stung, I understood his move to Man United in the first place and the 26 million pound transfer fee helped salve Toffee wounds. They finished fourth the year after losing Rooney.

This kid bagged 40 goals in all competitions last year and barely missed out to Drogba for the Premier League goals title. He kept them competitive after watching his best two teammates, Tevez and Ronaldo, walk out the door in successive seasons.

After a bad World Cup for which he was exhausted, and a sex scandal, Rooney has had to sit and watch Man City add a handfull of World Cup stars and Mario Balotelli to their ranks while his squad got Javier Chicharito Hernandez and Bebe. I love the Mexican's game, but the disparity is glaring.

I view Rooney's sheer desire for more money (which may or may not be driven by his agent) as the main driver of these moves. Lots of wealthy teams stayed out of the market this summer and let Manchester City and Real Madrid outbid each other exorbitantly while the age of austerity took hold in Britain.

Sir Alex had made the decision that more value could be squeezed out of his squad, and to a certain extent he was right. Berbatov and Nani's play have elevated at a crucial time and El Chicharito has already scored in the Premiership and the Champions League. Losing Antonio Valencia to a bad leg injury was a massive blow. His creativity down the flank was key to creating chances for Rooney and the other strikers.

All this doesn't excuse the disrespect Rooney has shown Sir Alex and Man U. It'll be fascinating to see how this plays out, and the implications will be huge.

Let him be... Why judge him? He probably has a better reason than we do. It's his life. Think he needs encouragements more than ridicules at the moment. Why not give one now? A person, a player is more valuable than the club. No player, no club! They are no puppets...

I would like to add that it makes me laugh that just because a club suddenly gets a rich owner then they automatically become a big club. This is ridiculus. Blacknurn Rovers where the first team to have a rich owner who out bought anyother club to land the big players. They won 1 league title and that was that. Chelse, under Abramovich have now won 3 titles but have spent over 300 million to do so but Abramovich has now effectively realised that even to win a title or 2, the ends do not justify the means and has closed his cheque book, effectively saying, we are no longer prepared to pay inflated fees. City's owner will soon realise the same thing. This is because the prize money for wining a title, along with the glory and subsequant TV money/sponsorship doesn't actually cover the investment. There is only 1 way to become a big club and that is the size of ots fan base. The bigger the fan base, the more TV coverage and the larger the sponsorship. Its that simple. Outside of Manchester, what is City's fan base........not a lot. It is no coincidence that the 2 biggest clubs in the world have the largest global appeal and fan base and they are United and Real Madrid. For City to even think of getting close to Uniteds global base of 70 million fans, they are going to have to all but match Uniteds success ver the next 20 years. It just won't happen. Even if they win 5 or 6 titles over 20 years, it is still not enough and to do so they hare going to have to spend hundreds of millions more, whilst still trying to compete with United, Madrid, Chelsea, Barca and AC Milan. Look at Madrid, they have spent hundreds of millions to bring in Ronald, Kaka, Alonso, Benzima etc and yet they still won nothing. So even if you have the ambition, it is those around you that will dictate your success and therefre you have t find out why a player has gne to the likes of City. Therefore, if we assume that money was the catalyst, are you realy going to get that team spirit........of course not. City are a transiant team of ibig name players who have been lured there because of money. Who is at City that embodies the spirit of City, the history of City.......no one! The reason the likes of United and Liverpool and Ajax of old were so successful is because of their youth policies and a nucleus of players who treat the club like home, like family. Even when Giggs, Scholes, Neville all retire, just like Ole, Bobby Charlton, Bryan Robson, Pat Crerrand etc, they will stay in and around the club for years to come. This is how you build a dynasty. The transiant City squad will all be buying private islands in the maldives when their careers are over. There are 7 fotballing knights in the UK, the only ones that are not linked to Utd , apart from the late Bobby Robson are from the 66 world cup, the rest are all Manchester Utd Legends, The next 2 will be Beckham and GIggs. These are all reasons why Wayne Rooney is making the biggest mistake in his footballing life. Just ask Paul Cascgoine!

I think Rooney who has choose faul.

Can a player shamed by his own indiscretion boasts of having a bigger ambition than his club?

Really, he may appear a formidable player at English club level, which suited the robust kick-and-push type of football he's capable of – but I saw how incredibly mediocre his performance and lack-of-real-skill at world stage.

Ferguson, no matter what the time and day, knows his football. His trophies winning teams over the decades proved it. No doubt, the man's got and has achieved bigger ambitions. And he knows how to get the players to do the right job.

Rooney who?

Rooney's problem is not MAN United. Rooney is emotionally and psychologically drained. He is a finished guy in UK due to the recent scandal in his private life. He can no longer go to bars, parties or even drive around town without drawing curious attention. He can no longer walk the neighborhood without getting bugged by the recent scandal that he inflicted on himself. He desperately wants to leave UK and free himself from constant media attention. His problem started when the tabloid journalist grabbed him by the throat prior to world cup in SA. He could no longer be the player we all know. He failed woefully in SA. He cant blame that on his club. Don't tell me about injury because even Robben and Drogba recovered and did better than Rooney yet they had injuries prior to world cup. His wanting to leave UK is understandable but to blame it on his club is bizarre. It is ridiculous and very unfair. With his penchant for getting into troubles, I wonder if his career would have progressed better under a manager other than Sir Alex. Rooney should show gratitude to SAF. I agree that the club needs to invest in better players than they do at the moment, but Rooney does not have what it takes to decide who is a good player or not. He should simply request that he wants to change clime instead heaping insult on his coaches and fellow players some of whom have far more glories than he. His leaving United will be better for the club in the long run. The current talents in the team will have opportunity to flourish. Two years from now, players like Hernandez, Machieda. Gibson, Nani etc will be a different proposition. Rooney was not this good four years ago so he should not insult others. SAF have won major glories there is in football before Rooney joined. He had reinvented his club several times and I am sure that he will do it again with or without Rooney.

wazza is right to state the indifference in ambition between his and what is visible at the team.The whole of last season he bore the extreme burden of lifting the club even under injured conditions, to the extent of him limping to ensure a lifeline chance at the allianz arena.Who would relish in such agony for another season?
He looks around and asks himself who is capable to fill that role?
Alas, there is no one for certain. So let wazza find places where the immense burden can be divided equally by folks of his kind.
Coz, fergie won't let up on his strategy to cater for rooney's idea.

It is time for change in Rooney's football carrier. Let him go to another club and do the best of his. May be it will be a great chance for him. I wish him well.

I am a Man U fan but, after reading Terry's article I almost had to check my diary to remember which year we are in. When is the last time a top player in the world said he wanted to play for Man U, considering how great the team is? Man U is a great club but is certainly no longer the top destination in Europe or England for that matter. Rooney says the team lacks ambition. What has Man U done over the last 2 years to show otherwise? He intimated that the team isn't good enough to be winning trophies. Is he lying? The way the season is going, we are likely to finish the season empty-handed. I am amazed at the number of fans who seem to have suddenly realize what an average footballer Rooney is. Who exactly are we meant to be fooling here? The boy has given a great service to the club and now wants to leave. We should accept that and let him leave, whether we like it or not.

Wayne Rooney will not be the only player to leave Man United so why the fuss? When Berba was down and seemed out, everyone crucified him. Now he's been a formidable figure in the team. I believe Rooney will bounce back, if given time. It's not like the team hasn't been playing well without him. The only thing United fans needs to do is stand by the players and show their support. Otherwise, how else can they be true fans?

I just don't get all the fuzz about this matter... So if u are unhappy with ur job do u still have to commit to it as a slave? No I don't think so... He's not happy at MU so let the kid go... Geez, not a big deal... Others will come to replace him and MU will win more trophies... So please stop whining about Rooney leaving, he's not happy and wants to go, end of story.

Rooney is Rooney, who can he should be?

Terry ,Man Utd arent the most successful team in Britain ,Liverpool fc are 18 Championships plus 5 European cups no British club has a better record.Wayne is an overrated British bulldog who can never carry Utd to any meaningful triumph.Rooney performed dismally & absmally at both World cups he has featured 2006 &2010.He will never be the world `s best player.,all his intentions were driven by jealousy & greedy.

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