Moyes: It would have cost a lot to replace Rooney

Posted Sunday, February 23, 2014 by YAHOO Sport

Manchester United boss David Moyes admits replacing Wayne Rooney would have been costly following his goalscoring performance against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Rooney put pen to paper on a new five-and-a-half-year deal on Friday before wrapping up United's 2-0 victory at Selhurst Park 24 hours later.

Robin van Persie had put the Premier League champions ahead after 62 minutes, before Rooney registered his 10th league goal of the season with a smart finish from inside the area.

And Moyes insisted that tying down Rooney - who was linked with a move away from Old Trafford prior to the start of the season, with Chelsea openly expressing interest - was a vital step forward for the club, as the Scot seeks to build on what has been a disappointing campaign so far.

"It is great news. It is a great signing for us. To try to buy a player like Rooney is going to cost you a lot," Moyes told Sky Sports.

"He's a really important player, you think about the amount of clubs who wanted to sign him. Wayne is one of the top players, he shows it week in, week out.

"We never had any intention of letting him go. Wayne has been great since day one."

Moyes also urged Rooney to keep on improving and become a key figure in the Scot's Old Trafford tenure.

"The finish (for his goal) was exquisite," he added. "It's a bit like Wayne, (having) not much time to think about it and bang, he pulls the trigger.

"We're on his case and we want him to keep at it."