While Manchester United manager David Moyes has been trumpeting how Wayne Rooney is a key part of his plans at United and saying that the player will not be sold, new United chief executive Ed Woodward is singing from a different hymn sheet.

“No contract renewals are being discussed. I am not sitting down with any player on an extension and there is no trigger date in the diary.

“Would we be afraid to run a contract down? Of course not.”

Judging by those words, Manchester United are playing hardball. They’re not willing to bend to give Rooney a brand-new contract and to try to woo him to stay at the club for longer. It’s a clear “put up or shut up” tactic by United, and it’ll now be interesting to see how Rooney’s advisor reacts to this news, which could accelerate Rooney’s departure from Old Trafford so he can go to a club where he’ll be paid more money and appreciated more.

What’s your read on the developments? Are Manchester United trying to force Rooney out? Or do you have a different take on Woodward’s opinion? Share your feedback in the comments section below.

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