Wayne Rooney has been promoted from the rank of lowly infantry that he was reduced to under Alex Ferguson and into David Moyes' secret war cabinet.
The Guardian's Daniel Taylor reported at the weekend that Rooney, alone among the playing staff, had been given advance notice of the decision to sign Juan Mata. Rooney is understood to have welcomed this departure and has not abused the privilege thus far.
Rooney threatened to leave United twice during Fergie's time, the first time in late 2010, when he expressed frustration at what he regarded as United's lack of ambition in the transfer market. Ferguson told him to keep his nose out of it.
This time around, with more contract negotiations coming up, Rooney, who has been described as "irreplaceable" by Ed Woodward, has been given privileged access to what Taylor calls "United's transfer secrets."
As a further sweetner, Rooney can expect to made captain if he agrees to sign the new deal.
