Stalemate at Manchester United after Rooney talks

Wayne Rooney's future at Manchester United remained unclear Thursday after the English Premier League giants held a series of meetings to resolve the crisis.
Manager Alex Ferguson had talks with the club's chief executive David Gill and Rooney's representatives, a day after the England striker repeated his intention to leave United.
But after the discussion, United could only issue a holding statement, urging their fans to be patient.
Rooney arrogant to think he is bigger than the club

The club said: "We are aware that there is intense public and media interest on the club at the moment, but there are no developments of note to report today.
"A number of meetings have taken place today, including with the player's representative. The outcome of those meetings will become clear in the near future.
"In the meantime, fans are asked to be patient."
Ferguson revealed earlier this week that Rooney had first told Gill of his intention not to renew his contract at Old Trafford on August 14.
The legendary manager said he was "shocked and disappointed" by the news, but that the door was still open for him to change his mind.
But on Wednesday, the 24-year-old Rooney, upped the ante, issuing his own statement which claimed Uniited could not match his ambition by signing the world's best players.
A clearly angered Ferguson reacted by telling reporters following United's 1-0 Champions League victory over Bursaspor that the club had called a meeting in order to "put the issue to bed."
He went on to warn Rooney that he would be misguided in moving from United, with whom he has won eight trophies since signing from Everton in 2004.
"Sometimes you look in a field and you see a cow and you think it's a better cow than the one you've got in your own field," a clearly irritated Ferguson said.
"And it never really works out that way. It's probably the same cow or not as good as your own cow. Some players like to think that it's better somewhere else. It never really works."
Rooney blames lack of ambition
With only 18 months left on his contract, United will be under pressure to sell Rooney in the January transfer window to rake in the maximum for a player who is likely to command a 50 million pounds ($79 million) fee.
But the prospect of Rooney signing for arch-rivals Manchester City, owned by Abu Dhabi billionaire Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, would sit uncomfortably with the United management team and fans.
Reports suggest Rooney could command a salary of more than 200,000 pounds ($316,000 dollars) per week with cash-rich City.
His teammates are preparing to play Stoke in the English Premier League on Sunday, hoping to cut a five-point gap on leaders Chelsea.

Rooney is set to miss the match after injuring his ankle in a training accident ahead of Wednesday's clash with Turks Bursaspor.