Die Macht » ht. Somebody has their left blinker on and you are think

In this most unpredictable of BPL seasons, the top four clubs battled it out in a pair of enthralling FA Cup ties last weekend. Meanwhile, the current champions were sunning themselves by the pool in Dubai. Not sure that was in the global expansion blueprint drawn up by the Glazer family. Nor, as their annus horribilis of a season wore on, would changing course and sitting down with Sir Alex Fergusons least popular person in football. Paul Stretford, Wayne Rooneys agent. Late last summer CEO Ed Woodward, without naming any player in particular, specified a willingness from the club to run player contracts through its term. These comments occurring as Chelsea were readying a second bid to sign Rooney who was going into the penultimate season of his current contract. Earlier Friday afternoon, and not long after a victorious Canadian mens team left the Sochi ice, Manchester United announced Rooney has committed himself to the cause through 2019. Stretford has played another blinder. It was only three years ago Rooney threatened to walk out of a club he saw did not meet his own ambitions. A few tears shed by Fergie in a pre-match conference and before you knew it, a brand new extended contract for Rooney making him the highest paid player in the globes most popular league. This latest deal is reported to be paying Rooney £300,000 ($525,000) a week, every week through June 2019. Factor in the image rights, something in the region of $150 million in total has been invested in the 27-year old. Its hard to tell though if this is a statement of intention or an insurance policy to ensure they convince some of the worlds very best that this season at Old Trafford is merely an aberration. This for a club thats currently battling it out with the likes of Newcastle and Everton for the BPLs sole spot in next seasons Europa League. Whilst the season on the pitch has lurched from one inept performance to the next embarrassing home defeat, the business of Manchester United Football Club has thrown up mixed blessings. Just last week the club released its latest financial report. As much as worldwide revenue continues to grow this has to be offset with the fact Bayern Munich recently replaced Manchester United from a podium spot on the annual Deloitte Football Rich List. Additionally, it is no coincidence that as the season has worn on, the price of the clubs shares on the New York Stock Exchange has reflected the dramatic fall of where Manchester United currently sit in the table. On the eve of the champions opening up their campaign August 17 (where they spanked Swansea 4-1) the share price stood at $17.41. Earlier today, the price was trading as low as $14.32. Over the course of the season this represents a fall in price closing in on 20 percent. One London-based bookmaker is currently offering odds of 12-1 the price will dip below $10 before seasons end. With that outlook, even the most ardent Manchester United supporters in the country wont be asking their financial advisor to include ticket symbol MANU in their portfolio this RRSP season. Not all of Manchester Uniteds misfortune can be laid squarely at the door marked manager. The failure of the club to reinvest their record breaking revenues in an aging squad has come to fruition this season. Manchester United has fallen way short in the transfer market throughout the Glazer tenure, which dates back to spring 2005. Added to this, and much more of a key indicator when it comes to where clubs finish in the BPL standings, is an unwillingness to match the player salary marks of a Manchester City or Chelsea. Over the House of Glazer era, well in excess of a $1 billion has leaked out of the club in the form of interest payments and debt repayments. Yet only $500 million has been invested in the playing squad. Buying a Juan Mata per season does not cut it. Even in this UEFA Financial Fair Play era. Then factor in the 45 million mistakes that are Marouane Fellaini. The re-signing of Rooney will provide the same psychological boost as if the club has captured a world class signing. Like overpaying for Mata, it heralds just the start of addressing Glazers under-investment. Manchester Uniteds next big signing may well come off the pitch in the form of the clubs apparel supplier. If we are to believe recent reports, this could net the club $1 billion over a 10-year term. Only last month, Arsenal announced a massive deal with PUMA. Although no official figures were made available, one UK newspaper tagged it the biggest deal in PUMA and Arsenals history. Bayern Munichs latest victim receives close to $50 million a season from Emirates. It is well regarded Manchester United will not, like last summer, be chasing shadows in the transfer market come seasons end. They will though have to pay over the market odds for players. The international market for the very best is not a place for the faint of heart or light of wallet. At the table this summer will be a very forceful Sheik Mansour and Roman Abramovich and then throw in PSG owners the Qatari Investment Fund. And we havent mentioned Mr. Gallactico himself, Florentino Pérez. Just to make matters even more interesting for the Glazers bankers, history tells us a World Cup cycle is merely code word for luxury tax. What was $50 million in 2013 will be $60 million in 2014. The Pini Zahavis of the world rejoice even more every four years. With only 12 matches remaining in the season, Manchester United would have to go almost picture perfect the rest of the way to stand chance of clawing back the 11 points and a vastly inferior goal difference to Liverpools fourth place perch. Participation in Julys Europa League qualifiers is more probable. Going into Saturdays match away to a Tony Pullis rejuvenated Crystal Palace, the club sit seventh place in the table. If they remain in that spot come season end, to participate on the European stage next season Manchester Uniteds 650 million worldwide followers will have to cheer on Manchester City and Arsenal to domestic cup glory. Oh my how the very mighty will have fallen. In his last home match before hanging up the hair dryer, Ferguson addressed the 75,000 strong Old Trafford congregation post match and asked them to show patience for the new manager. Come May 3 - when United play their final home match of the season - lets hope for David Moyes sake he doesnt have to stand up at the final whistle and ask for their forgiveness. You can reach and follow Noel Butler at:Noel.Butler@BellMedia.ca@TheSoccerNoel TSN and TEAM Radio is your exclusive BPL radio home this season. Saturday we feature - Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United. Kick Off at 12:30pm et /9:30am pt. Alberto Moreno Jersey .ca! Hi Kerry, Im sure youve received many emails wondering what your take is on the Spezza goal that looked like Neil blatantly kicked it in while standing directly in the middle of the crease where, you know, usually a goalie is to make a save but couldnt be due to Neil being there! Thanks! Jon - Westfield, MA Jon: Lets first ask Henrik Lundqvist what he thought of the scoring of the Sens second goal with . Jordan Henderson Liverpool Jersey . The Canucks figured to be active prior to Wednesdays trade deadline, getting a jump on things the previous day when they dealt goaltender Roberto Luongo to the Florida Panthers for netminder Jacob Markstrom and forward Shawn Matthias. http://www.footballliverpoolstore.com/Women-Dejan-Lovren-Liverpool-Jersey/ . -- Nick Bjugstad snapped out of his scoring slump and spoiled Drew MacIntyres first NHL start. Rhian Brewster Jersey .Bacca took advantage of Cristian Alvarezs hesitation to head a lobbed pass over the goalkeeper and then used his feet to roll the ball into an empty net in the eighth minute. The Colombia strikers 10th goal pulled him level with Lionel Messi as the leagues third-leading scorers, far behind Cristiano Ronaldos runaway tally of 23 goals. Dominic Solanke Jersey . The Brazilian heads into Saturday afternoons race coming off a close runner-up finish to Ryan Hunter-Reay in the Indianapolis 500.DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A 67-car field, an unusually low attrition rate and a relatively tight road course turned an endurance race into a pushing and shoving match. And no one was immune. The result: dinged and damaged cars at every turn at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. "It feels like you are playing poker every time you are passing a slower car," driver Sebastien Bourdais said. "Hopefully by the end of the race, there are fewer cars on track and people start to figure out a little bit more where they need to be on the race track because it feels like there are some terrorists out there." The merger of the American Le Mans Series and the Grand-Am Series created a crowded field for the 52nd running of the Rolex 24. And with few cars getting knocked out early, traffic around Daytona International Speedways 3.56-mile road course became problematic for everyone involved. Complicating the situation, many of the sports car drivers have considerably less experience than the professionals. "Its not a criticism; I think every series has this," Indianapolis 500 winner and Chip Ganassi Racing driver Tony Kanaan said. "We probably need to ask, Do we need them? ... Would I like to see only professionals? 100 per cent. Is that going to happen? 100 per cent not. Its part of it and thats the risk we take, but yes, there are guys there that if I teach you how to drive in two days, youd be better." Kanaan offered examples of some off the strange moves he encountered during his seat time.dddddddddddd "I remember when I used to drive with my father, my mom would say, Im not worried about you. Im worried about other people," Kanaan said. "Its the same thing here. You have no idea what they are going to do. You think they are going to turn left and they turn right. Somebody has their left blinker on and you are thinking hes going to the left, and then he goes to the right. "They dont know where to stop if they have a problem, and they panic when they see something in front of them and hit the brakes and spin. I think thats part of this race." Kanaans sentiments were echoed throughout the garage. "I strongly believe there are some people out there who should not be out there," Ganassi driver and three-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon said. "They are going to hurt somebody or hurt themselves." Added Action Express Christian Fittipaldi: "Its wild out there. Of all the eight races Ive done here, this is definitely the worst." The track at Le Mans is longer and has more straightaways, which provide drivers more chances to pass and more opportunities and take a break from the stress of traffic. Its far from similar at Daytona. "You literally could do a double stint and not get a single clean lap," DeltaWing driver Andy Meyrick said. "Its tough on the driver because youre constantly in traffic." ' ' '