Wayne Rooney Timeline

Soccer: England striker Wayne Rooney is staying at Manchester United after signing a new deal in a dramatic u-turn, having previously…

Business as usual: Manchester United's Wayne Rooney and Alex Ferguson. The England striker has agreed a new five-year deal to stay at Old Trafford (Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
Business as usual: Manchester United's Wayne Rooney and Alex Ferguson. The England striker has agreed a new five-year deal to stay at Old Trafford (Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

Soccer:England striker Wayne Rooney is staying at Manchester United after signing a new deal in a dramatic u-turn, having previously stated his desire to leave Old Trafford. We track a turbulent few months for the 24-year-old.

March 30:Suffers a nasty-looking ankle injury in the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich. Initial assessments suggest he will be out for up to three weeks.

April 8:A surprise inclusion in the starting XI for the second leg against Bayern after just a week on the sidelines. Rooney hurts his ankle again and United are bundled out of the competition.

June 18:Said "nice to see your home fans boo you" to TV cameras after England's disappointing goalless draw with Algeria at the World Cup. England were knocked out in the second round, with Rooney failing to score in four matches and looking well short of his best form throughout.

READ MORE

September 5:Lurid newspaper allegations over Rooney's private life are printed. The striker travels with England for their Euro 2012 qualifier but extends a long goalless period for his country against Switzerland.

September 10:In a joint statement with wife Colleen, Rooney says "the last six days have been extremely painful for us and for our families" and appeals for privacy.

September 11:United manager Alex Ferguson excuses Rooney from duty at his old club Everton fearing a hostile reception from the Toffees fans. United draw 3-3 in his absence.

September 14:Quiet on his Red Devils return in a disappointing goalless draw against Rangers in Champions League.

September 26:Substituted after injuring ankle against Bolton and ruled out of European trip to Valencia.

October 1:Ferguson says Rooney is not fit enough to play in United's next league match against Sunderland but could be available for England.

October 2:In an interview as part of a promotional appearance for a video game manufacturer, he pleads "I'm only human... I hurt as well" and says he needs consistent games to get back to his best.

October 13:Off colour as England draw 0-0 with Montenegro but appears to contradict Ferguson by saying he has been training as normal and has no fitness problems.

October 16:Left on the bench by Ferguson for United's match with West Brom. He plays a late a cameo role but is stationed on the left wing.

October 19:Ferguson confirms reports that Rooney has declined a new deal and wants to leave United.

October 20:Rooney issues a statement confirming he had refused to sign a new contract, saying he was concerned about the "future squad" and the "continued ability of the club to attract the top players in the world".

October 22:Signs a new five-year contract at the club.