Rooney deal no surprise to rival managers
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has played down the magnitude of the Wayne Rooney story and admitted his only shock was at United's initial willingness to make the news public.
"Once the club came out and said they couldn't find agreement, it was a message they wanted to sell,'' he said. "There's not a lot to talk about, when a player with 18 months on his contract speaks with his club. The only surprise for me was Manchester United came out and said that.
"It was just a story that for me, from the start to the end, was completely out of interest. When I saw headlines I just turned the page.''
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti was spared too much questioning on the situation regarding Rooney when the news broke during Chelsea's pre-match press conference that the England player had signed a new five-year deal to stay at Old Trafford.
"I'm not surprised,'' said Ancelotti. "Manchester United are happy to keep a fantastic player. I think that Rooney did a fantastic job for Manchester United and, in the future, I think he will do the same.''
Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier believes Wayne Rooney has "taken the right decision in his development'' by opting.
Houllier said: "I don't know what happened really (with Rooney). I was impressed by Sir Alex's press conference because he responded well to the situation. It was not easy and he felt emotion which showed the liking he had about the player.
"I think in the end I would say, all (sides) win because I wouldn't imagine Rooney outside of Manchester United. I like the boy, I like the manager, it is a good club, and he probably made the right decision regarding contracts.
"But you never know what happens. Ronaldo had a contract as well and he left and when a player wants to leave maybe you can delay that for one or two years. It is not good when a player has nine or 10 clubs and this is why I think Rooney has taken the right decision in his development, whatever happens next year. We don't know.
"Whether Wayne has realised he can't play for Manchester City, I don't know.''
As regards player power in football, Houllier added: "The power came with Bosman. But now it comes even one year before the end of a contract and the new FIFA rules.
"That is why the contract does not mean a lot. This is why at some stage we need to think about the future because you know teams that succeed have got a certain type of stability.
"What Chelsea are doing is interesting because they won the double but look at the team and how long they have played together.
"You see the team now and they are gradually improving and to get stability and to improve the level of your football, you need a bit more protection.''
