Truce: Wayne Rooney and Sir Alex Ferguson together after the striker signed a new five-year contract- Rooney sensationally agrees lucrative deal until 2015
- Star claims that Ferguson and owners 'convinced' him to stay
- Sir Alex backs him to now emerge as a true 'United great'
- Manchester City and Chelsea left to rue missed chance
- Team-mates received apology from striker over criticism
Wayne Rooney has sensationally ended doubts over his future by performing an extraordinary U-turn to stay at Manchester United.
In a dramatic change of heart, Rooney - who demanded to leave United earlier this week - has signed a new lucrative five-year contract.
The club confirmed the news on Friday lunchtime, ending an amazing week which included Rooney insisting that United no longer matched his ambitions.
'I am delighted to sign another deal at United,' he said. 'In the last couple of days, I have talked to the manager and the owners and they have convinced me this is where I belong.'
The England star recognises damage has been done, possibly inside the dressing room and certainly with the fans who have regarded him as one of their own since he first arrived from Everton in 2004.
He also understands the need to improve his form, which has suffered so badly since he sustained an ankle injury against Bayern Munich in March, the last time he scored a goal for his club in open play.
Before: 'Join City and you're Dead' - the death threat painted on a Manchester shop on Friday
After: The hateful message is cleaned off as news breaks that Rooney is staying put at UnitedHe added: 'I said on Wednesday the manager is a genius and it is his belief and support that have convinced me to stay.
'I am signing a new deal in the absolute belief that the management, coaching staff, board and owners are totally committed to making sure United maintains its proud winning history - which is the reason I joined the club in the first place.
'I am sure the fans over the last week have felt let down by what they have read and seen. But my position was from concern over the future.
'The fans have been brilliant with me since I arrived and it's up to me through my performances to win them over again.'
Manage a smile, Wayne? Rooney leaves United's Carrington training ground on Friday
Out of form: Rooney recognises he must recapture his spark after a lacklustre start to the seasonAfter such a tumultuous week it barely seemed credible such a position could be arrived at so quickly.
And, after consultation with the owners, who allayed his fears about the future direction of United, Rooney agreed to extend his contract, which will now expire in 2015.
'It's been a difficult week, but the intensity of the coverage is what we expect at Manchester United,' said boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
'I said to the boy that the door is always open and I am delighted Wayne has agreed to stay.
'I am pleased he has accepted the challenge to guide the younger players and establish himself as one of United's great players. It shows character and belief in what we stand for.
'I am sure everyone involved with the club will now get behind Wayne and show him the support he needs to produce the performances we know he is capable of.'
Rooney, who was previously on £90,000 per week, is understood to have taken a massive pay hike in his new deal.
Ferguson has also revealed Rooney has apologised after airing his concerns about the direction United were heading in.
'Wayne has apologised to me and the players,' Ferguson later told Key103. 'He will also do so with the supporters.'
Rooney had endured a traumatic last 24 hours with irate United supporters arriving at his house in Prestbury last night to demonstrate over a potential move to hated rivals Manchester City, followed by death threats scrawled onto the wall of a soon-to-open Nike shop in the city's Arndale Centre.
source: dailymail
