Manchester United are planning to offer Wayne Rooney a new contract in a bid to keep him at the club for the rest of his career.

Rooney is only two years into the six-season deal he signed when he completed his £27million switch from Everton, yet already he has spoken of his desire to extend his stay with the Red Devils.

As their catalyst and best player, United know they need Rooney over the long-term if they are to remain a credible force at home and abroad.

And, chief executive David Gill is also aware the England star is only currently in the second tier of earners at the club, with an estimated weekly salary of £50,000-a-week.

"It is something (chief executive) David Gill and I have discussed because we all know we want Wayne to stay here for a lifetime," manager Alex Ferguson told reporters. "He has the energy and enthusiasm and the desire to be at the top and we want young players like that."

Rooney's current contract runs until 2010 but Gill admits that talks are in the pipeline.

"It is in our plans to do that," Gill said. "But we will not put a deadline on it or a timing on it. Any change can be made retrospectively. Any player that says he wants to sign a contract is a positive sign and we will sit down and do something."