Ferguson limits my sponsorship deals: Rooney

London, Feb 13(ANI): Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has revealed that he is limited to five sponsorship deals by his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, who has a tight control over his players' off-field commitments.

Rooney disclosed the limitations in the course of appearing in court to fight a 4.3 million pound lawsuit filed by his former agents Proactive, following the striker's decision to remove his work from them when the company dismissed his representative, Paul Stretford, in 2008 for gross misconduct.

Rooney's number of sponsorship deals, from which Stretford has continued to take 20 percent despite the deals having been negotiated under the aegis of Proactive, was "based on what my manager tells me," Rooney told Manchester Mercantile Court, where the company is pursuing its claim against the 24-year-old, The Independent reports.

Stretford brokered Rooney's first professional contract, with Everton in 2002, his move to United and huge deals with Nike, Coca Cola, EA Sports and Tiger beer.

He further said that the responsibilities of fatherhood has contributed to him not even using up his quota, and added that he has no plans to add to the four deals.

"To be honest, I'm probably doing the max. My wife has just had a baby. I need time to spend with them and I need time with my family as well. It could change but not at the minute," Rooney said. (ANI)