In this most unpredictable of BPL seasons, the top four clubs battled it out in a pair of enthralling FA Cup ties last weekend. Air Jordan 5 NZ . 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. Cheap Air Jordan 5 For Sale . Last July, F1 teams held in-season testing sessions at Silverstone to assess new tires provided by Pirelli after several blowouts on the same circuit at the British Grand Prix in June prompted a furious response from drivers and even a boycott threat the following week. Cheap Jordan 5 NZ . The Maple Leafs will play on the road for the first time this season after dropping home contests to Montreal and Pittsburgh to begin the campaign. After losing a one-goal decision to the Canadiens on Wednesday, they were bested 5-2 on Saturday by the Penguins. http://www.cheapairjordan5nz.com/ . -- The Orlando Magic have made no secret that the future of their franchise will depend on how well they can develop their young players. NEW ORLEANS -- Monty Williams was hoping a return to the Crescent City after an arduous, five-game road trip would energize his weary Pelicans. But it was the visiting Washington Wizards who played with more intensity, holding off a furious late rally in a 102-96 victory Wednesday night. Trevor Ariza scored 21 points and John Wall added 20 to lead Washington, which is suddenly finding the road more inviting. The victory was the second road win in as many nights for the Wizards, who have now won six of seven away from home. "There was a stretch in the first half where we had five stops in a row and scored on all five which created the lead for us," Washington coach Randy Wittman said. "We were a little sloppy down the stretch but it was a real solid effort." Bradley Beal added 17 points, Jan Vesely 12 and Marcin Gortat and Nene 11 each for the Wizards. Beal made three of his first four 3-point attempts and added four assists. Vesely was 6 of 8 from the field and grabbed seven rebounds, a game-high five on the offensive end, which led Washingtons 13 second-chance points. Gortat added 14 rebounds and former Pelican Ariza 10 to lead Washington to a 46-37 advantage on the boards. "(Vesely) is definitely our most athletic big, and he brings a lot of energy," Beal said. "Whenever hes playing the way hes capable of playing, were a great team." Eric Gordon scored 23 points and Anthony Davis 21 for the Pelicans, who were coming off of a four-game road trip that saw New Orleans endure a two-day delay in Indianapolis because of the severe winter storms that paralyzed air traffic earlier this week. "We just did not compete in the second quarter, not to the level that they were competing," Williams said of a period when the Pelicans were outscored 33-16 to fall behind 61-44. "Theres no excuse for that. Weve got young guys." Brian Roberts scored 11 points, all in the second half, and Greg Stiemsma 10 for New Orleans, which trailed by as many as 23 in the third quarter. "Our energy was down," Pelicans guard Austin Rivers said. "I didnt think we were focused. We are picking up bad habits. When we get down six or seven, we act like the game is over and the lead gets worse. Thats not coaching. Air Jordan 5 Wholesale NZ. Thats on us. "Its discipline and pride. Weve got to have a little something inside you." The Pelicans trailed 87-66 to begin the fourth quarter, but opened with a 14-4 run to trim the deficit to 91-80 midway through the period. The Wizards committed turnovers on three consecutive possessions during one sloppy stretch and scored only two points during another five-minute span. New Orleans got within 93-87 with 2:56 remaining, but could come no closer. "The biggest deal to me was that the level of competing was different (in the fourth quarter)," Williams said. "We did not make any adjustments. We did what we were supposed to do and we had a 30 to 15 quarter." With the exception of an early two-minute window, Washington dominated the first half, playing energized on the defensive end and controlling the interior. The Wizards made their first five field-goal attempts in racing to an 11-6 lead. But just as quickly, the shots quit falling and New Orleans took advantage, outscoring the Wizards 14-1 in a little more than two minutes to take a 20-12 lead with 4:21 left in the quarter. The Pelicans defence effectively sealed off the middle during the run, forcing Washington to settle for looks from the perimeter. However, New Orleans spurt proved to be an early tease for the fans. The Wizards closed the quarter on a 16-8 run to tie the score at 28 and opened the second on a 12-0 run. Martell Websters 3-pointer gave the Wizards a 40-28 with 7:55 remaining in the quarter. During that stretch, the Pelicans missed four shots and committed two turnovers. Washington closed the half on a 21-16 run to take a 61-44 lead. "We were a little bit tired," Pelicans centre Alexis Ajinca said. "Sometimes its in the head, sometimes its in the legs. Tonight. it was a little bit of both." NOTES: The 61 points given up by the Pelicans tied a season high for points allowed in the first half. New Orleans also gave up 61 in the first half Jan. 1 at Minnesota, which resulted in a 124-112 loss. ... Davis made a 3-pointer with less than one minute remaining, the first of his career. ... The Pelicans lost their third consecutive game to an Eastern Conference opponent. 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