Manchester United manager David Moyes spoke of his relief over striker Wayne Rooney’s new contract, labelling him a “really important player” for the club that would have been “difficult to replace” had he opted against staying at the club. Rooney has been an important part of much of United’s attacking play this season, playing off of the lone striker, and signed a new five and a half year contract this week.
“He’s a really important player and you think about the amount of clubs who wanted to sign him,” Moyes told reporters when quizzed on Rooney.
“He would have been too difficult to replace. There aren’t enough top players out there that you can get cheaply or easily.
“Wayne’s one of them, one of the top players. He shows it week in, week out for us and you can see the change in him – his leadership, what he’s trying to bring to the team.
“We want him to keep at it and I’m sure he will. He’s a boy who wants to continue to get better.”
Rooney scored the second goal in United’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday: a game that Moyes was pleased to win, given the home side’s resurgence since the departure of Ian Holloway.
“Crystal Palace have been doing well since Tony Pulis took over. It’s been a difficult place for any team to come and win,” said Moyes.
“They’ve not conceded many goals and they’ve made themselves hard to beat again today, but thankfully we got two goals in the second half.
