Rooney plays down contract fiasco as ‘a load of rubbish’

LONDON - Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has denied suggestions that he had staged a contract fiasco to raise the club’s salary cap.

“I’ve heard from different people I’ve agreed a new deal so the club can agree a higher price with a different team somewhere along the line, which is a load of rubbish. I’ve signed a new deal to stay here. My long-term future is here at United,” the Sun quoted Rooney, as saying.

“I can understand the fans’ frustration with the contract negotiations and it happened in the public eye, which made it a little bit more difficult. But the main thing for myself and the club is that we managed to agree that deal,” he added.

In a dramatic change of events, Rooney - who wanted to leave United in October - had ended doubts over his future by signing a new five-year contract.

He is now the highest-paid player at United, overtaking defender Rio Ferdinand.

The striker, who was previously on 90,000 pounds per week, is now understood to be earning a basic salary in excess of 150,000 pounds per week. (ANI)