Bayern to make play for Rooney?

Spotlight ... Wayne Rooney's future has become a hot topic. Source: Jon Super / AP

Bayern Munich might test Manchester United's resolve to keep Wayne Rooney, even though Alex Ferguson has promised that the forward will be offered a contract extension to keep him into his 30s.

Ferguson made the pledge at the end of a week heavy with speculation on Rooney's future after the decision to drop him to the bench against Real Madrid. Rooney, 28 in October, signed a deal in 2010 tying him to United until 2015 and Ferguson said: "There's no issue with his contract; when it has to be renegotiated, it will be done. We don't want good players to leave."

United's manager also gave his word that Rooney would not be sold this northern summer but Bayern could pose a dilemma should it act on the enthusiasm of their incoming manager, Pep Guardiola, for the England star. Guardiola once called Rooney "one of the greatest players in the world, as there are very few players with his qualities", and preliminary inquiries have been made on Bayern's behalf.

The German giant is one of the few clubs that could afford to buy Rooney.

His pay is about pound £220,000 ($321,000) a week and United considers him to be worth at least pound £20m. Bayern could try to capitalise on Rooney's admiration for Guardiola and the manager's former Barcelona team, as well as the offer to broaden the player's outlook. In his early 20s, Rooney asked reporters dismissively: "Lads -- can you see me playing abroad?" but he is now thought to be more open to the concept.

While Rooney was disappointed not to start against Real Madrid, there is no sign he would agitate for a transfer -- as he did at the time of his last extension, when Manchester City was interested. His marketing value to United remains enormous and, in terms of goals and assists in the Champions League and Premier League, he is having his equal-best season.

Ferguson suggested his best seasons may still be ahead of him. The manager ridiculed suggestions he was unhappy with Rooney's weight and that relations between the pair had broken down. "That's absolute rubbish, all of that. It's because he's a stellar England player. He's the Gascoigne, the Bobby Charlton, and therefore any publicity (the media) can get from him, they will use," Ferguson said.

THE SUNDAY TIMES

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