Manchester United Transfer News: Rejecting Wayne Rooney Bid Is Wise Move by Reds

Wayne Rooney’s immediate future has as many twists and turns as Spaghetti Junction, it seems.

There is no shortage of potential suitors, though, with Arsenal and Chelsea interested in the 27-year-old English striker, as reported by James Dickenson of the Express. Rooney has seemingly fallen out of favour at Old Trafford, with ESPN reporting that the striker requested a transfer under Sir Alex Ferguson's stewardship; he's now found himself in a media scuffle with new boss David Moyes.

The Guardian’s Dominic Fifeld and Jamie Jackson report that the offer from Chelsea stood at around £20 million. Cyber-talk last week suggested Juan Manuel Mata had been used as a make-weight in the Rooney bid—an idea furiously dismissed by the Stamford Bridge club:

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They confirmed a cash bid had been submitted to United, despite David Moyes having consistently stated the player is not for sale, but hinted at their underlying frustration that, firstly, the move had been made public and, secondly, a part-exchange had been mooted. "Chelsea Football Club can confirm that, yesterday, it made a written offer to Manchester United for the transfer of Wayne Rooney," said a spokesman.

"Although the terms of that offer are confidential, for the avoidance of doubt and contrary to what is apparently being briefed to the press in Sydney, the proposed purchase does not include the transfer or loan of any players from Chelsea to Manchester United."

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Still contracted at Old Trafford for another two years, United will be looking to maximise their return on the 27-year-old, should they decide to sell.

As much as the market represents what buyers are willing to pay, Rooney is certainly worth more than £20 million. His pedigree at Manchester United is high, with experience at the top level for nearly a decade.

Although perhaps taken out of context, Rooney has been described as “angry and confused” when actually Moyes highlighted his desire to play with two recognised centre-forwards.

Other options include Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez; just three forwards, excluding Rooney, won’t be enough for Manchester United.

Moyes, from his time at Everton, has a tendency to favour 4-4-1-1, with a supporting attacking-midfielder playing close to a central striker. The Scotsman deployed that formation 28 times in the Premier League last season, according to WhoScored, keeping a narrow midfield four to increase central quality and pushing forward his full-backs.

Chelsea’s bid for the striker was a good starting point for the Red Devils.

Having seen the likes of Edinson Cavani and Radamel Falcao exchange hands for over £50 million each, Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward won’t be looking to sell under Rooney’s value.

Woodward has cut short his visit to United’s preseason camp in Australia to deal with various transfer issues back at Old Trafford.

Each summer provides a long, drawn-out transfer saga, and Rooney looks to be the focal point for this window.

But it will be a game of caution from Manchester United who will want to move the striker on their terms—i.e. their valuation of the player.