Manchester United and Chelsea are known across the global as two of England’s most successful clubs.
Now they’re enhancing their reputation as two of England’s most stubborn clubs.
Chelsea have had yet another bid rejected for Wayne Rooney, this time $38 million plus add-ons was turned down by David Moyes as United maintain the 27-year-old is not for sale.
However Rooney wants to leave Old Trafford and may submit a formal transfer request by the end of this week. But this story has taken another twist this afternoon, as Rooney has apparently suffered a shoulder injury in a behind closed doors friendly on Saturday. He won’t travel to Sweden to play against AIK on Tuesday, as Moyes expected him to.
(MORE: Manchester United reject Chelsea’s bid for Wayne Rooney)
That latest revelation aside, José Mourinho is determined to get his man and this week the Rooney saga could take a pivotal turn towards a hasty conclusion. United travel to Sweden for the aforementioned friendly today before Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial against Sevilla on Friday night and then the FA Community Shield match against Wigan on Sunday.
The next seven days are crucial.
Chelsea’s initial bid of $30 million was dismissed by United in July and Rooney has been conspicuous in his absence from the rest of the United squad since. The official line is that he’s had a hamstring injury, but after missing most of Manchester United’s preseason campaign, Rooney’s future will soon become much clearer.
(MORE: Chelsea boss José Mourinho; It’s Wayne Rooney or bust)
If Rooney features in the three games this week for the Red Devils and answers questions on his future, we will have a better idea on if he’ll end up wearing the Blue of Chelsea this season. He may not play at all after his “shoulder injury”, sparking further doubts about his future at Old Trafford. But more than likely he will play some part later this week and not say a word to the media circus following this absorbing transfer story.
Chelsea boss Mourinho has made Rooney their top target this summer and with Roman Abramovich’s endless resources, Chelsea will pay whatever it takes to get Rooney. United are just being incredible stubborn and asking for far too much money for a player that wants to leave the club. Chelsea are using that information to their advantage.
In the battle of the Premier League’s most stubborn clubs, whose nerve will break under the pressure?