You're right, I don't understand why footballers don't do it more for the love or challenge of it when they get to Rooney's age and situation. He's fucking hugely minted, dropping to say 40k a week so he can play at us next season and try to reinvent himself is something that would get him huge kudos and who knows, if we were to win a cup and he was instrumental hed instantly get 2nd club legend status. Always thought that sort of thing would be way more desirable than holding out for the best pay day and then failing to live up to it.
Sheringham had quite a strong career at West Ham until 40 and don't recall him holding out for wages of epic proportions.
Vanity. Can't be having someone who he considers a lesser player on a better salary no matter if that player is young and on an upward curve or not.