SÖCCER!!!Wayne Rooney agrees five-and-a-half-year Manchester United contract

Wayne Rooney was all smiles after agreeing a new five-and-a-half-year deal at Manchester United. Photograph: John Peters/

Wayne Rooney was all smiles after agreeing a new five-and-a-half-year deal Wayne Rooney has agreed a new contract with Manchester United worth around £85m over the next five-and a-half years that will keep him at the club until he is 33. He is set to become captain next season, with Nemanja Vidic, the current incumbent, having announced he will leave United this summer. The news provides a major boost to David Moyes during in what is proving a difficult first season as manager, following Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement. With talks having begun after Christmas it is understood that the football part of the terms were agreed some time ago – extending his contract, which had 18 months left to run by an additional four years –with image rights the last hold-up decided this week. Rooney has registered 208 goals in 430 appearances for United, so if he stays injury free should become the club's all-time leading scorer, passing Sir Bobby Charlton's mark of 247 goals in 754 games. The club have yet to formally announce the contract but are expected to do so on Friday.