Wayne Rooney said Sir Alex Ferguson's "belief and support" convinced him to sign a new contract with Manchester United FC, two days after confirming he wanted to leave the club.

Wayne Rooney has ended speculation surrounding his future after signing a new five-year deal with Manchester United FC.

Three days after Sir Alex Ferguson said Rooney had intimated a desire to leave Old Trafford, with his previous contract due to expire in summer 2012, the striker has committed until June 2015. Sir Alex said: "It's been a difficult week, but the intensity of the coverage is what we expect at Manchester United. I said to the boy that the door is always open and I'm delighted Wayne has agreed to stay."

Rooney, who turns 25 on Sunday, added: "I'm delighted to sign another deal at United. In the last couple of days I've talked to the manager and the owners and they've convinced me this is where I belong. I said on Wednesday the manager's a genius and it's his belief and support that have convinced me to stay."

However, Rooney will not be available when United travel to Bursaspor on 2 November after being ruled out with an ankle injury suffered in training on Tuesday. "Wayne will be out for three weeks," said Sir Alex, whose team's 1-0 home win against Bursaspor this week left them two points clear in UEFA Champions League Group C.

http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1552727.html#rooney+pens+five+year+deal+united



Could this be against popular expectations judging from the kind of man Sir Fergie is? I for one thought Rooney was already gone.

my surprise arises from the way beckham and van nisterooy departed old traford quite unceremoniously. Ferguson is a stubborn man and heady players find it a bit hard with him. rooney's case seems to be different.