Source: Skysports.com

Skysports.com understands Manchester United are tracking highly-rated Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson.

A number of clubs are thought to be chasing the England Under-21 international following a number of impressive performances for club and country over the last 12 months.

Chelsea and Manchester City are believed to be keeping tabs on Henderson, but United are hoping to steal a march on their rivals for the 20-year-old.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and his assistant Mike Phelan were interested observers at Sunderland's clash at Blackburn on Monday night and Henderson was thought to be the reason for their attendance at Ewood Park.

Ferguson is understood to be keen to reshape his midfield options and he sees Henderson as a player with a bright future ahead of him

Sunderland are desperate to keep hold of Henderson, but they could face it difficult to turn down a sizeable offer from any of the midfielder's suitors.


Fergie still looking to build for the future by the looks of things. Has worked in the past, hope it continues to work.

I'm fingering Paul Stretford as the main instigator of the Rooney Affair.

Now we all know Rooney thinks the sun shines out from a certain part of Stretford's anatomy, that the guy can do no wrong and therefore whatever he says must be right.
I feel that he has screwed with Rooney's head. He has weaved stories that paint pretty pictures of life on the other side of Old Trafford. A life that would make 'Wane' Rooney (sic), the most highly paid footballer in the world, while lining his own pockets with millions on the back of this treacherous deal.
Rooney is beset with problems both on and off the pitch at the moment (loss of form, hookers, lack of goals) and he, with an IQ of room temperature, has to rely on this 'bloodsucking leech' for guidance.

What follows are pure random thoughts, intermingled with truths.

So what is this so called 'agent' doing for his client?
Well I think Stretford has realised that Rooney's next contract will span the years when the player will/should be at the pinnacle of his career.
What better time could there be to cash in on the biggest payday of them all, for the pair of them ?

This is a win, win situation for all concerned. (Apart from United)
If United put Rooney up for sale in the January Transfer Window it gives them the opportunity to maximise on any wage deal struck with interested parties (Barcelona, City, Real Madrid or whoever).
* They could negotiate the very best deal possible, say (200,000+/week, over a 6 year contract; ??000/week Image Rights; Bonuses; A Buy Out clause etc. etc. etc.) (You get the idea.)
The buying club would get the best player 'reputedly' in the EPL at a knocked down price, Rooney only having 18 months left on his United contract.

Alternatively :
* Rooney could honour his contract with United, 'do a Bosman' and get a 30million signing on fee, plus the above deal.
His new club would still be getting him at a bargain price, (for a 6 year contract).
Also having the opportunity to make a healthy profit should the buyout clause be executed at sometime in the future, or they wished to sell him on, at a later date).
* (All figures have been plucked from the air and exist here only to serve as an example)

So they clean up, with Rooney making an all round world record deal, (for a footballer) and 'Scumbag Stretford' adds millions to his coffers with his 20% (or whatever) blood money.
Not bad eh? (For a wanna be footballer from Croxteth and a fat, parasitic ex-vacuum cleaner salesman, once banned from working as an agent for 18 months.)


The leverage of a top football agent is not to be underestimated.
It could, feasibly, sometime in the near future bring about the downfall of one of the Premier League football clubs.

Manchester United's Paddy Crerand, being interviewed on an Irish radio program about SAF's statement to the press on the Rooney affair.

The interview begins affably enough but then the host starts to bait Paddy, who quite rightly bites.
So then the host really starts to wind him up. All credit to Paddy, who, having heard enough, slams the phone down on him. :O

: LINK :

Kudos goes to Paddy for his defense of Sir Alex. :love:

Some parts of the media can always be relied upon to stoop to the lowest depths, just to get a reaction, feeding their own fat egos whilst doing so.

Wayne Rooney has revealed his reasons behind him wanting to leave Manchester United insisting it is not down to money but ambition.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed on Tuesday that Rooney wanted to leave the club, and admitted his disappointment and disbelief.

Ferguson insisted he did not know the reasons behind Rooney's decision to shun a new contract at Old Trafford and instead look for a move away.

But now Rooney - who has just 18-months left on his current deal, has released a statement outlining his decision to seek a move away from United.

Rooney has been quick to deny that any moves away from the club would be financially motivated, insisting that the club's lack of investment in their squad is the primary factor.

"I met with David Gill [United chief executive] last week and he did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad," Rooney confirms.

"I then told him that I would not be signing a new contract."

Rooney also admitted he was shocked by Ferguson's comments on Tuesday, adding: "I was interested to hear what Sir Alex had to say yesterday and surprised by some of it.

"It is absolutely true, as he said, that my agent and I have had a number of meetings with the club about a new contract. During those meetings in August I asked for assurances about the continued ability of the club to attract the top players in the world.

"I have never had anything but complete respect for MUFC. How could I not have done given its fantastic history and especially the last six years in which I have been lucky to play a part?

"For me its all about winning trophies - as the club has always done under Sir Alex. Because of that I think the questions I was asking were justified."

Huge debt

The England star insisted that he would always 'owe' something to Ferguson.

"Despite recent difficulties, I know I will always owe Sir Alex Ferguson a

huge debt. He is a great manager and mentor who has helped and supported me from the day he signed me from Everton when I was only 18," he said.

"For Manchester United's sake I wish he could go on forever because he's a one off and a genius."

Are we going to lose Rooney too ??

Cannot SAF hold on to another star player??

Is he to follow players we lost because a compromise was not found with our manager - Stam, Van Nistelrooy, Beckham, Keane, Tevez ?????

We cannot lose Rooney !! And the only 2 clubs who can buy him are Real Madrid and City - shall we have to see Rooney with Tevez at City ???!!!!!!!

Ridiculous!!!