MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER Alex Ferguson on Friday dismissed speculation linking Wayne Rooney with a move to French league leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
England international Rooney has reportedly been a target of the French capital club, despite having two years of his five-year contract to run at Old Trafford.
But ahead of their game Barclays Premier League game against Aston Villa on Monday, Ferguson played down talk that the 27-year-old forward would leave the club at the end of the season.
“I don’t think there’s anything in that at all,” Ferguson said in response to question about whether Rooney had been unsettled by talk of a move to PSG.
I couldn’t tell you (anything) about that. As far as taking him off on against West Ham, it’s because he wasn’t playing as well as Shinji (Kagawa) was.
“We had to get that goal that mattered and, of course, there are so many games where Wayne Rooney is better than other players. But on the night Shinji was playing so well.”
Manchester United will have a full squad to choose from against Aston Villa, despite a physical encounter against West Ham in their last game on Wednesday, which ended 2-2.
A win in Monday’s match could see United crowned champions if second-placed Manchester City — currently 13 points behind their local rivals — lose at Tottenham on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Ashley Young has been ruled for the remainder of the season with an ankle injury.
Jaysus, I hope it’s all been done honourably on both sides….he seems a decent honest hard working man.
@Michael Murray:…from a source….Word on the street says he was happy to go and that politics in the munster set up wasn’t what he wanted. He couldn’t buy or attract players cause they wouldn’t finance anything.
Very sorry to see Graham Rowntree go. An honourable man who brought a title to Munster after a 12 year gap. For sure the season so far has been disappointing. A number of factors contributing:-
A desperate need for international class front row forwards. Stephen Archer and John Ryan have done an admirable job but with both at 36 years, they can’t play 80 minutes forever.
Too many absentees due to injuries.
The retirement through injury of Andrew Conway, Keith Earls and Simon Zebo.
The considerable loss of RG Snyman.
We wish GR well and thank him for his contribution.
Felixstowe Jones? Interesting.
@Ivan O’Riordan: zebo left his best years in France. Was only half a player when came home. Can add him as a reason
That none of the players, especially O’Mahony, have yet come out to thank Wig speaks volumes.
@Aidan Farrell: To be fair, they have literally just been told. He probably didn’t get a chance to speak to any of them personally before it was announced. Give them a chance to digest it first.
@Aidan Farrell: that you’re here with another dumb comment speaks volumes.
@Aidan Farrell: why “especially O’Mahony”, troll. Beirne is the captain, any statement should come from him.
Will somebody tell The42 that there are 4 provinces in Ireland!! :)
@Paul Ennis: have their head coaches left as well?
@Paul Ennis: I was saying Boourns
@Paul Ennis: But only 2 teams worth talking about.
@Paul Ennis: Careful now, down with this sort of thing!
@PJ Smith: I know. Mea Culpa.
@PJ Smith: I here you’re a langer now father.
I’d say when he was told that he couldn’t bring in NIQ front row LH, it was the final straw with what I believe was an already stressed relationship with IFRU.
He was apparently offered a leinster academy LH as medical joker which I think he took as an insult. Didn’t get the support either from the Munster board that he should have.
That all said, still a crazy time to depart a week out from the Marque ABs game….
Was honestly shocked with this ..everyone has seen how Munster take ages to get going in a season but then take off and do really well (winners 2 years ago/log leaders last year…would have thought Sean Everett at Edinburgh , plum at the sharks, possible dobson the stormers all would have been on the chopping board before rowntree…he’s obviously hasd some sort of scrap with the Munster bosses over whatever and said FU…given his history at the club and losing in SA that’s surely nowhere near enough for the bosses to want rid of him…maybe the pressure has just got to him .donno
@Stuart: agree. I would imagine that there was a significant difference of opinion on the way forward with decision makers in the organization and he felt as a result it was better to part ways. It sounds like his decision
Felix Jones….
@Keith McCarthy: …and the McManus brothers
I wanted to listen to the Rugby Weekly Extra podcast but the link only took me to my account – I’m a subscriber. Where is the correct link lads?
@Con Cussed: same same, assuming they are re-recording given the Rowntree news!
@Con Cussed: Rugby Rugby.weekly
A lot being said without saying much really. If he walked, what has changed so drastically since the start of the season to force him to such a drastic decision. If not internal relationships, is it squad issues? Munster have faced huge injury lists for the last few years now at the start of the season so nothing new there. Players moving on would have been known before the start of the year so hardly a defining factor at this stage. Surely senior players near the end of their careers shouldn’t have that much sway. If it is just a case that he got tired of it and the struggle with these issues then it may be something he regrets as this is part of the professional game. But in truth it could be totally different and even personal reasons.
I think if it comes out that player power was behind a coup of sorts, the players will be under extreme pressure to perform. The honeymoon period will be extremely short they will find.
@Michael Corkery: Is it Gavin Coombs? *dun dun dun…
and rowntree suddenly feels like a rock of cashel sized weight has been lifted from his shoulders…he can leave all that bitterness behind…
@Patrick Kennedy: and yet here your are still breathing, after carrying more your whole life. Pathetic
ROG??
@TV GUIDE: can I have what you are smoking?
He isn’t leaving La Rochelle any day soon , 3.5 m a year might change his mind
@damien reidy: How about Rob Baxter?
@Conor Lynott:…not the worst suggestion at all!!
@Conor Lynott: Yeah. I was just reading elsewhere that he is under pressure at Exeter. As an experienced and successful head coach, used to working under financial constraints, and who also comes across as a decent guy, he might be just the ticket
I blame Leinster !