Sir Alex Ferguson’s press conference on Oct. 19, 2010 is still as riveting now as it was on that fascinating day.
Fergie was responding to the news that Wayne Rooney had asked to leave Manchester United. Leading up to the moment he took to the stage, the speculation as to how the United manager would respond was almost as enticing as the story itself. Would this be brash Fergie at his best? Would he toe the corporate line instead and skim over the issue?
Surprisingly, a forlorn Ferguson addressed the media in a blunt and honest fashion, admitting that it was “terribly disappointing,” and that “we can’t understand it.”
Rooney had his head turned by Manchester City, and despite the player using the convenient line that Manchester United’s lack of ambition was the main reason for wanting to leave, City were reportedly offering him a contract beyond belief.
Days later Rooney signed a new deal at Manchester United making him the highest paid player in club history.
Fast forward to this week. Rooney still has two years left on that huge contract and a very similar scenario is unfolding again, with Chelsea putting in an offer for him. However, on this occasion, if Rooney is baiting the club for a new deal, it isn’t going to work.
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By now you know the story. Manchester United revealed that Rooney handed in as many as two transfer requests at the end of last season. New manager David Moyes recently spoke to Rooney, and his comments have armed both sides with the artillery they need to end this partnership once and for all.
Moyes said: “Wayne can play up on his own, he can play dropped in. Overall, my thought on Wayne is, if for any reason we had an injury to Robin van Persie, we’ll need him.”
Brilliant! It’s official. Wayne Rooney is no longer top dog at Manchester United. We knew this, of course. The second van Persie arrived he was suddenly the team’s best player. In one sentence, Moyes has told the club’s fans that the Rooney of 2013 is a mere shadow of the Rooney of 2010, and he has also angered the player enough to expedite any transfer.
Rooney’s agents and representatives have let it been known that he is now “angry and confused” about life with Manchester United. Now, he has the excuse to demand a move because the new manager doesn’t rate him.
I don’t think Moyes for one instant wants to keep hold of a player who may be too much trouble than he’s worth. Maybe the friction between Moyes and Rooney during their time together at Everton was too great to overcome. Have you ever sued someone? I haven’t, but I imagine if I did that relationship would be over.
It looks as though it’s a sad end to a brilliant career at Old Trafford, but how incredible is it that this saga has unfolded since the original falling out in 2010. In those days Rooney was still ahead of his prime, and losing him to Manchester City would have been crippling for the clubs brand.
Now? Ho hum.
The greatest part of this entire saga? It’s proof that Jose Mourinho is as calculating as ever. His comments that a second-string Rooney would be bad for the English national side was a stroke of brilliance.
The Happy One is doing all he can to make a move south as smooth as possible for Rooney. After all having, the Scouser surfing towards West London on the shoulders of forty million England supporters would be far easier than the alternative.
James Sharman is a Sportsnet commentator and co-anchor of SoccerCentral, an hour-long soccer news show airing seven nights a week on Sportsnet World at 11pm ET. Catch the replay of SoccerCentral the next day on Sportsnet Ontario and Sportsnet East at 1pm ET. Follow James on Twitter.