Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been told to fight for a new contract. Rooney is currently on a £300,000 per week deal and is keen to secure a new deal which would see him play out his career at United. The club, though, is not willing to offer the striker an extension until he can prove his worth.
Rooney signed a 5-year extension in 2014 which will keep him at the club till 2019 but according to The Sun, the forward will have to wait at least another 18 months before the Red Devils even consider handing him another extension.
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A source close to The Sun said, "Rooney is ready to end his playing days at United. He is presently contracted until the summer of 2019, but nothing is in the pipeline.”
“It will be at least another 16 to 18 months or so before they even make a further look on an extension on that.”
Rooney has been struggling for form of late and, although Mourinho has stated that he will be a key figure in United’s title challenge, it remains to be seen whether Rooney can actually regain his form of old.
The leading English goalscorer of all time, Rooney had a poor 2015/16 Premier League campaign. This was followed by a disastrous Euro 2016 with England and the striker’s place in the team is questioned as there are other players in the team which are as good if not better than him.
Paul Parker calls Rooney fat
Former Manchester United legend Paul Parker has stated that Rooney doesn't deserve an extension yet. He also branded the striker fat and slow. “If someone had only heard of Wayne Rooney but seen him now they’d think ‘Who is this fella? He’s overweight and slow. It looks like he can’t move or shift his body quick enough.”
He also spoke about the importance of the new Premier League season for the 30-year-old. “This is a defining season for Wayne Rooney. It’s no longer about him breaking records but finishing his career at Manchester United.”
“He needs to show his worth and that he deserves to be in the team and not just because of marketing.”
Mourinho believes Rooney still has it
Despite such criticism, Jose Mourinho still feels the England striker has a lot to offer. “Wayne has been a wonderful servant to this great club over the last 12 years,” said Mourinho. “I am sure he will provide many more memorable moments for United in the coming years at Old Trafford.”
Manchester United host Southampton on Friday night and will be hoping for an improved performance from their skipper.
