Manchester United are hoping to fend off Chelsea's interest in Wayne Rooney once and for all by handing the striker a new contract, according to the Telegraph. United want to put Rooney on a new, long-term deal that would tie the 27-year-old to the club well into his thirties, thus ending their rival's interest in the England star. Rooney's present contract expires in June 2015 and the Premier League champions don't want him entering the final year of his deal with his future unresolved. Such a scenario would only serve in lending the initiative to Chelsea in making a renewed bid, having previously failed with two offers earlier this summer. However, United will not be rushed on the matter, and are instead keen on seeing if Rooney settles down following a period of upheaval at Old Trafford that has seen David Moyes named new manager. There remains a strong possibility that the Red Devils propose talks on a fresh deal in the New Year, though are mindful that they do not want to put undue pressure on the player, who has struggled through a challenging time with injuries. The most recent of his setbacks - having missed his club's pre-season schedule with a shoulder injury - has been a badly-gashed forehead following an accidental collision with team-mate Phil Jones in training. There is much sympathy for Rooney at Old Trafford, with Moyes keen on impressing on the forward that he very much remains a key part of his future plans. A United source said of Rooney:
The manager and coaching staff have created a new environment. There is no rush to talk about a new contract but lets say if, in January, there is a conversation and we could lock him (Rooney) in well into his thirties then we would do that.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
