现今的社会，是钱重要，还是义重要？

If one glances the front page of the Straits Times today, he will wonder if ManU is part of Singapore. After all, the big photo of a smiling Sir Alex and Wayne Rooney was right smack on the page.

It has been an interesting week for Man U. I don’t really comment on Man U that much, but this week’s saga is more than interesting. To sum things up, Rooney did not want to extend his contract which was due in 2 years’ time and wanted to walk away, citing reasons that the team was not strong enough. When he seemed really to go to other clubs which can invest more in the squad, then suddenly he made a u-turn to sign a new contract, which increases his current pay quite substantially (Sky News said it almost doubled).

So why did he suddenly change his mind? There are a few “theories”. One is, of course, the owners have properly addressed his lamentation on the limited squad investment.

Another points to the pay package. Some have suggested that it was a smart tactic employed by Rooney to go public on his reluctance to sign a new contract in order to pressurize ManU to increase his pay package significantly, thinking that ManU could ill-afford to lose him, especially with the team’s dipping form. After all, it has been rumoured that somemore in Man City is paid much more than him, and he might have thought that he deserved that. Now, having been offered a pay package that few potential buying teams could afford, of course, he signed on the dotted line. If this was true, the tactic was a risk for him, and he has won – for now. Going public with his displeasure would certainly cross the line of Sir Alex and who knows what will happen down the road (anyway, I think he’s just an overrated, overhyped English player).

It’s pretty sad these days, when money dominates sporting decisions of players. There are players who doesn’t mind fat pay packages to sit on the bench. Where is the loyalty and passion? It seemed that the days when players would play for the love of the club (a decent enough one), its heritage and fans are almost long gone. Oh well, money talks.