David Moyes will start work as Manchester United's manager as soon as Everton's season ends on Sunday at Chelsea with the first priority to assess Wayne Rooney's future at the club. Following the striker's reconciliation with Moyes three years ago there is no lingering resentment towards his former manager so constructive discussion is expected.
Although Moyes is contracted until the end of June at Everton before beginning officially at United on 1 July there is a recognition that once the season's final matches are played, Moyes needs to hit the ground running at United, so from next Monday he will start the process of driving the club forward, with Rooney, player acquisition and sales, and the make-up of his backroom staff priorities.
It is thought Moyes will try to persuade Rooney his future remains at United. In the close season he will have two years remaining on his current deal – the normal time that terms are renewed. But if Rooney does decide he wants to stay, as he earns close to £300,000 a week, negotiations could be lengthy.
Following Sunday's 2-1 win over Swansea City at Old Trafford which was his final home game in charge, Sir Alex Ferguson, the outgoing manager, claimed that Rooney had asked for a transfer but that United had rejected this. He then stated that whether the 27-year-old would remain at the club next season was now a matter for Moyes.
Of Rooney not being in Ferguson's match-day squad for Swansea, he said: "I don't think Wayne was keen to play, simply because he has asked for a transfer. I think he wants to think it through in his mind and I think that is a good idea. But we are not going to let him go. I just think he is maybe a bit frustrated about being taken off once or twice in the last few weeks."
Rooney was sued by Moyes for allegations in an autobiography before the Liverpudlian apologised to him in 2010. There are now no issues between the pair.
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