US Edition 
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney wants to make peace with fans with performances but doesn’t say sorry
Wayne Rooney has dispelled fears amongst Manchester United supporters that his decision to sign a new contract at Old Trafford is merely a short-term fix by insisting ‘my long-term future is here,’ despite stopping short of apologising for his public stand-off with the club.
In the two months that have passed since he was substituted during the 2-2 draw at Bolton, Rooney’s United career has been redefined by the week-long contract dispute in October which led to the player revealing his refusal to sign a contract due to his concerns over the club’s ambition.
Although Rooney performed a dramatic U-turn by ultimately signing a five-year deal, many United supporters have criticised the 25-year-old’s actions, with a sense within Manchester that next summer could still see him depart Old Trafford.
Rooney, speaking to MUTV, dismissed those concerns, but the apology to the fans which Sir Alex Ferguson had claimed last month would come from the player was conspicuous by its absence.
“I can understand the fans frustration with the contract negotiations.” Rooney said. “It happened in the public eye which made it a little bit more difficult, but the main thing for myself and the club was that we managed to agreed that deal.
“I’ve heard that I’ve have agreed a new deal so the club can agree a high price with a different team. That’s a load of rubbish. I’ve signed a deal to stay here and my long-term future is here at Man United.
“I’ve always made it aware I wanted to be at this club. Obviously I had my concerns and voiced my opinion and it went from there really.
“My long term future is at Man Utd. I want to help the younger players the way [Ryan] Giggs, Gary Neville and [Paul] Scholes have helped me.
“I want to be here to help them and make this club continue to be successful. That’s my main aim.”
Rooney, who received a largely positive reception from supporters when introduced as a substitute against Wigan on Saturday, admits he was anxious about the reaction of the United fans following his dispute with the club.
He said: “With the issues over the last couple of months, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried by the reaction of the fans, but overall, the reception was brilliant.
“The players have been fine. I’ve had no problem with them whatsoever throughout the negotiating of my contract or before or after.”
United will be without the injured Darren Fletcher and rested Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand against Rangers, but having endured a week of intensive training in the United States, Rooney insists he is ready to start a game which will see United qualify for the knock-out stages if they avoid defeat.
He said: “My fitness is coming back. I went away for a week to the States to work on my fitness. It was intense, leaving at nine and getting back at six o’clock, but it’s what I needed.”