"To suggest Wayne Rooney will be sold in January is nonsense" - a United spokesman on Sunday, October 17.

"I was in the office on August 14 and David (Gill, chief executive) phoned me to say (Rooney) wasn't signing a contract. I was dumbfounded. Only months before he was saying he was at the greatest club in the world. I asked to have a meeting with the boy. He reiterated what his agent said, that he wanted to go" - United manager Sir Alex Ferguson on Tuesday, October 19.

"I believe he is going to stay. But if at the end of the day Manchester United decide that he is to leave, then give me a call" - Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho on Tuesday, October 19.

"I met with David Gill last week and he did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad. I then told him that I would not be signing a new contract. Despite recent difficulties, I know I will always owe Sir Alex Ferguson a huge debt. For Manchester United's sake I wish he could go on forever because he's a one off and a genius" - Rooney, in a statement issued on Wednesday, October 20.

"If there was a possibility of Wayne Rooney staying at Manchester United that has certainly ended after tonight's statement prior to an important Champions League game. No player has ever had the right to question and seek assurances about the current and future Manchester United squad, no matter their talent and let's be honest, there have been far more talented players in the history of Manchester United" - former United midfielder Paddy Crerand on Wednesday, October 20.

"We don't want it to become a saga. We have the team to consider. We will put it to bed tomorrow" - Ferguson, speaking after Wednesday's Champions League win over Bursaspor.

"Sometimes you look in a field and see a cow. You think it is a better cow than the one you see in your field. It never really works out that way" - Ferguson turns agricultural in his criticism of Rooney.

"You cannot have a Bosman ruling they've got at the moment. Manchester United have helped Wayne Rooney's career massively on and off the field. The manager, the club itself has invested in him. They bought him for massive amounts of money as a young man and they're helping him blossom into the player that he is. And if he sees his contract out he's going to be able to walk out of there for nothing. That's the people at the very top of the game's fault" - Blackpool boss Ian Holloway on Thursday, October 21.

"He's umming and ahhing at the minute, but it's looking good. He's very, very interested so watch this space" - Robbie Fowler jokes that his time away from Perth Glory was spent convincing Rooney to join him in Australia.

"Sometimes, when you're in a club, it can be hard to realise just how big it is and it takes something like the events of the last few days to make you understand. I think Wayne now understands what a great club Manchester United is" - Ferguson, after Rooney put pen to paper today, Friday, October 22.

"I am delighted to sign another deal at United. In the last couple of days, I have talked to the manager and the owners and they have convinced me this is where I belong. I said on Wednesday the manager is a genius and it is his belief and support that have convinced me to stay" - Rooney today, Friday, October 22.

"I'm shocked. Nothing's shocked me more in football than this week. I thought this week leading up to today was enough but I just couldn't believe it when I got the news today what had happened" - Former United midfielder Lou Macari responds after Rooney signed his new deal.

"It was just a story that for me, from the start to the end, was completely out of interest. When I saw headlines I just turned the page" - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger remains nonplussed by the whole affair.