Wayne Rooney was relieved to be welcomed back to the pitch by Manchester United fans at the weekend but admits he was nervous about their reaction.

Rooney came on as a second-half substitute in the 2-0 defeat of Wigan Athletic for his first appearance since the much-publicised contract negotiations that saw him declare his intention to leave Old Trafford before signing a lucrative five-year extension.

He has also been struggling with both form and fitness this season but was handed a generally positive reception by the United fans - though there was audible booing from some sections.

Speaking to MUTV, he said: "I've been out for a long time, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about the reaction from the fans but the reception was brilliant and I just tried to help the team win and score goals.

"It (the crowd response) was brilliant. I can understand fans' frustrations with the contract negotiations, obviously it happened in the public eye which made it more difficult. But at the end of the day the main thing for myself and the club is that we managed to agree that deal. I've signed a new deal to stay here and my long-term future is at Man United."

I can understand fans' frustrations with the contract negotiations, but at the end of the day the main thing for myself and the club is that we managed to agree that deal.
Wayne Rooney, Manchester United forward

The England striker also scotched suggestions that some of his United team-mates had been giving him the cold shoulder following the episode.

"The players have been fine," he said. "There's no problem whatsoever since the negotiations, not before or after. The press have probably made a big issue out of nothing.

"I always made it aware I wanted to be at this club. I had my concerns and voiced my opinion but at the end of the day I'm delighted that my long-term future is at United. I want to to help the young players the way Giggsy, Gary Neville and Scholesy have helped me. I want to be here and to continue to make this club successful."



There have been claims in the meantime it has been suggested the new contract is only a way for United to maximise their return on the 25-year-old should they decide to sell at the end of the season. It is an assertion Rooney refutes entirely.

"I read that I have agreed a new deal so that the club can agree a higher price with a different team somewhere down the line," the England forward said. "It is a load of rubbish. I signed a new deal to stay here for the long-term future with Manchester United."


There was no apology, as manager Sir Alex Ferguson stated was Rooney's intention when he signed his new contract, just a desire to start scoring goals again, which he has not done in open play for United since March.

It was quite extraordinary that Rooney should suffer a debilitating ankle injury at the exact point that Ferguson was giving his emotional speech about the player not receiving the best advice immediately before a UEFA Champions League clash with Bursaspor.

The resultant rehabilitation trip in Oregon was not an effort to get Rooney away from his irate team-mates insists Johnny Evans.

"You read that he has fallen out with team-mates but there has been none of that whatsoever," said the Northern Ireland star. "It has just carried on as normal. He is a big character in the changing room and he is always bubbly.

"He has always had that desire to win and is a fantastic player. That is not just going to go away. Last year his form was outstanding with the amount of goals he got. Hopefully he can bring that back to the team."

Indeed, Sir Alex Ferguson is counting this as a fresh start after a disappointing early season that also included allegations about Rooney's private life.

"Absolutely," Ferguson said. "There is no question about that. His fitness is good. He needs that football training which he has not had a lot of, but he is getting there and this is an ideal opportunity for him in the sense of getting back to the level we know he is capable of.

"Maybe it will take two or three games, but they will help to get him back as quick as we can. This is a high-profile match, on a terrific pitch, in a great stadium with a terrific atmosphere. All the signs are plus ones, particularly for a player of Wayne's ability."