United keen to offer Rooney new contract

MANCHESTER, England, Aug 11 (Reuters) Manchester United are planning to offer Wayne Rooney a new contract in a bid to keep him at the club for the rest of his career.

''It is something (chief executive) David Gill and I have discussed because we all know we want Wayne to stay here for a lifetime,'' manager Alex Ferguson told reporters today.

''He has the energy and enthusiasm and the desire to be at the top and we want young players like that.'' Rooney's current contract runs until 2010 but Gill admits that talks are in the pipeline.

''It is in our plans to do that,'' Gill said. ''But we will not put a deadline on it or a timing on it. Any change can be made retrospectively.

''Any player that says he wants to sign a contract is a positive sign and we will sit down and do something.'' United paid Premier League rivals Everton 56.90 million dollars for Rooney two years ago.

Ferguson also spoke enthusiastically about new signing, goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak from West Bromwich Albion, saying the 24-year-old can rival Peter Schmeichel's feats at Old Trafford.

The Pole has initially joined for one season as understudy to Dutch international Edwin van der Sar, with the deal becoming permanent after that.

''We hope he can fit in the way Peter did,'' Ferguson said.

''Peter was 27 when he joined us and we spoke about his potential then. Goalkeepers take time to mature, but we identified Tomasz's potential and we are doing the right thing.

''He has athleticism and has stature under pressure and we feel very strongly he can be the future of Manchester United.'' Ferguson is still hoping Van der Sar will sign an extension to his contract that runs out at the end of the season.

Edwin has come here and absolutely enjoyed himself,'' he said. ''Achieving the most caps for Holland and carrying on your international career shows he is enjoying his football.

''If he stays here it will be good for this club because our other keepers will benefit from him.'' REUTERS AY HT1740