Wayne Rooney: Why Manchester United Overpaid for a Once-Great Star
Earlier this month, Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney told his team that he would not sign a contract and that he "wishes to leave the club."
Among other reported reasons, Rooney apparently issued a statement that he did want to resign with Manchester United because the team was not trying to sign the world's best players, and thus not improving.
But just a few days after voicing his displeasure with the club, Rooney agreed to a five-year deal with a reported weekly salary somewhere between £150,000 and £250,000.
I'm no expert on the conversion rate of pounds to dollars, but I do know that's a pretty hefty price to pay for Rooney, no matter how good he is.
It's the American equivalent of Alex Rodriguez's deal, and way too much money for one star.
Here are the top 10 reasons why Man U spent too much money on Wayne Rooney.
10. The New David Beckham?
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It seems that the soccer world is looking for Rooney to be the new David Beckham, the guy that performs well on the field but has his personal life overshadow everything else.
His reported infidelity and his complete u-turn during his recent contract talks have made him a more important asset to the media than to Manchester United.
Will Rooney play up to his talent level, or will the media ultimately decide how his career turns out?
9. His Lack of Loyalty
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Look, this wouldn't be the first time that Rooney pledged his loyalty to a club, then later reneged on it.
Back in the day, Rooney said that he was committed to Everton, but he bolted for Manchester United when the club offered him a big payday in 2004.
Just because he's signed with the club now, it doesn't mean that's where his loyalty resides.
It's all about the money.
8. His Selfishness
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Just like James Harrison was never going to retire from the NFL, Wayne Rooney was never going to leave Manchester United.
He just wanted the leverage in contract negotiations with the team. He wanted to decide the length and monetary compensation of the deal, and he threatened to leave the club in order to do it.
The 2009 World Player of the Year Lionel Messi said this about Rooney: "We all know football players at the top level are blessed with high wages, it's no secret. But Rooney would play for 100 euros-a-week."
Well, I have to disagree with you there, Messi.
Rooney's complete 180 was nothing more than a ruse that showed his true personality, one of a selfish athlete who will do whatever he wants just to make an extra buck.
7. Sex Scandal
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Tiger Woods and Brett Favre have fallen victim to poor play following sex scandals, and Rooney could walk the same path.
In August, allegations surfaced that Rooney slept with a prostitute, Jennifer Thompson, while his wife Colleen was pregnant. Since he had previously admitted to paying for sex, he couldn't really disprove the allegations.
As we've seen with both Woods and Favre, there's like nothing like a good ol' sex scandal to make an athlete play well below his talent level.
6. How Can the Team Improve?
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Rooney said that he wanted to leave Manchester United because the team was not trying to sign better players.
Um, OK, then why don't you take a smaller salary so the club can sign those players you're talking about?
Man U isn't going to improve if the club doesn't have the finances to sign top-tier players, and it won't thanks to the ridiculous contract Rooney just signed.
5. $235,644 Per Week!
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After doing a bit of research, reports say that Rooney will make at least £150,000 per week under the terms of his new contract.
That's equivalent to $235,644 every seven days! That is pretty ridiculous
I don't even want to think about how many years I'll have to work to make as much money as this guy does in 168 hours, one third of which he probably spends sleeping.
4. The Domino Effect
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If one domino falls, others will soon follow.
And Rooney is the lead domino in this situation.
Manchester United showed in contract negotiations with Rooney that the club will let the player dictate the terms of a new contract. He can do basically whatever he wants to sucker the team into overpaying him to stay.
What's to stop other players from doing the same?
3. A 66 Percent Raise
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A raise for Rooney might have been warranted, but there's a difference between giving someone a raise and overpaying them.
The reported £150,000-per-week payout would mean that Man U gave Rooney a 66 percent raise over his previous £90,000-per-week contract.
That's a big chunk of change, especially considering that Rooney wants the team to sign other players.
2. One Goal
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In five games played in 2010, Rooney has set the world on fire with his stellar play.
Not really. The guy has one more goal this season than I do.
And I don't see anybody shelling out $200,000-plus to me every week.
1. The Ankle Injury
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Rooney has had an ankle injury that has hobbled him since March and has limited his play since the World Cup.
If there's any type of player that fits the bill as a risky signing, it's an injured one.
And Rooney certainly isn't going to be confused for the most durable soccer player on the planet.
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