AFTER A NIGHT in which balaclava-clad Manchester United supporters were dispersed from outside the Rooneys’ home, Old Trafford chiefs will re-enter negotiations with the striker’s agents Paul Stretford this morning.

A 40-strong group of United fans travelled to the England forward’s home in Cheshire to warn him off any move to United’s local rivals. Witnesses reported a gathering outside his house, with a banner reading “If you join City you’re dead”, according to the Guardian.

Daniel Taylor writes:

The incident occurred a couple of hours after United released a statement confirming they had spent the day discussing Rooney’s future. The club’s chief executive, David Gill, spoke to Stretford to reiterate Alex Ferguson’s belief that the player could be on the verge of making the biggest mistake of his professional life.

Across town at Eastlands, former Red Devil Carlos Tevez has reportedly fuelled owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan’s appetite for an swoop to bring Rooney to the club, telling him: “With Wayne we will win everything.”

According to The Telegraph, the Argentine was asked by the Sheikh for his advice on whether to pursue his former team-mate, though they face stiff competition.

Explains Jason Birt:

Chelsea will make a lower bid than City but are convinced, according to sources, that they are ahead in the running, despite the assumption that Rooney wants to remain in the North West. The Premier League champions believe that Alex Ferguson would rather sell to them, even though they would bid only around £20 million, than to City, who are expected to offer
£35-40 million, and that the United manager has the authority to do the deal.

However there is an acceptance that Chelsea will have to convince Rooney’s wife, Coleen, to move south – which she is understood to be reluctant to do. He is believed to be prepared to join Chelsea or City and has no qualms about either move. Chelsea also believe they have an edge because of their track record of winning trophies, the experience of their squad and the reputation of their manager, Carlo Ancelotti.

Outspoken United fullback Patric Evra, meanwhile, has opened the door on the mood in the club’s dressing room. The Frenchman  has told the board his teamamtes will ‘never trust Rooney again’.

“If one player in the team does not trust the others, he should not play in the team,” said Evra in this morning’s Sun newspaper, “I trust everyone, I know we can win.”