5 Reasons Why Man. Utd. Star Wayne Rooney Won't Play Abroad

Rumors coming out of the red half of Manchester claim that Wayne Rooney and Sir Alex Ferguson are at logger heads (Daily Mirror). This is not the first time the pair has fought. Last season's contract negotiations had "Wazza" implying he was going to join crosstown rivals Manchester City. Apparently, Fergie is still miffed over last year's shenanigans and is also concerned over Rooney's fitness. Fergie is allegedly ready to cash out on his volatile star.

Personally, I think this is a lot of hot air. Rooney will never play abroad, and here are the reasons why:

The Days of British Players Going Overseas Are over

In the 1980s, a combination of better wages and the European ban saw British players plying their trade in continental Europe.

Several players, such as Trevor Francis, Graeme Souness and Mark Hateley, tried their luck in Italy, which was considered to have the best league in the world at the time. Spain was also a destination, with manager Terry Venables, Gary Lineker, Mark Hughes and Steve Archibald all representing Barcelona at one point.

Those days are over. The advent of the Premiership and its atmospheric wages means that British players can make more money staying at home. 

It Would Be a Step Down

Realistically, if Rooney left England, the only league he could go to is Spain, and that would be with either Barca or Real Madrid, and I don't see his style of play fitting into either of those teams.  

Serie A, with its empty stadiums and ultras, doesn't hold the allure it used to. Apart from La Liga, any other league would be a step down. Can you really imagine Wazza playing in France or Holland?

His Style Is Not Suited to European Football

While Rooney is a gifted player with great touch, he also plays the typical British game of hard graft, shoulder charges and crunching tackles.

That style won't work in Italy, with its slow buildup, or Spain, with its emphasis on "tiki taka" football. I don't think Rooney can adapt his game to these styles.

He Won't Settle

Rooney might be a great player, but one can't exactly call him a genius in the academic department. I can't see Wazza immersing himself in a foreign culture the way Steve McManaman did at Real. 

Rooney has enough problems with English; I can't imagine how he will do with Italian or Spanish.

He Is Too Expensive

United are reported to be seeking close to £40 million for Rooney. But how many clubs can afford to pay that fee?  

Barca and Real Madrid could, but I don't see them shelling out that kind of money. Newly rich Paris Saint-Germain could afford the fee, but I don't see Rooney being interested in a move to Ligue 1.

So there are the reasons why Wayne Rooney will stay in England. This argument with Sir Alex will blow over. Rooney is destined to spend his whole career in merry England.