Man United postpone new deal talks with Rooney

(GSM) – Premier League defending champions Manchester United have decided to wait after the World Cup finals for negotiations over a new five-year contract with star striker Wayne Rooney.

The 24-year-old striker will head to South Africa as part of Fabio Capello’s England squad and if he is a success, his value and wage demands could increase considerably.

The Liverpool born striker has two seasons remaining on his current £90,000-a-week contract with a new deal likely to make him the highest paid player at Old Trafford.

While, England captain Rio Ferdinand is United’s top earner, on £110,000-a-week, a strong World Cup show for Rooney could lead to a salary well in excess of that figure.

The United hierarchy see no cause to rush through contract talks and have agreed with Rooney’s representative, Paul Stretford, not to begin negotiations until after the finals.

The former Everton player, who signed for United from the Merseyside in 2004, is enjoying one of the best seasons so far after winning the PFA and Football Writers’ Player of The Year award.

And he could still land the Premier League title, to add to the Carling Cup, if Chelsea don’t win against Wigan Athletic on the last day of the season and United beat Stoke City.