Manchester United are ready to make 24 year-old Wayne Rooney the highest paid player at the club. The Manchester Evening News says United will make Rooney the best paid player at Old Trafford, on a par with the top earners at mega-bucks Manchester City and Chelsea.

Rio Ferdinand is believed to be the Reds' top earner at around £5.5million a year.

Rooney, 24, who has had the best season of his career, hitting 34 goals and picking up a host of awards including PFA Player of the Year, may even see his reputation enhanced at next month's World Cup finals.

England's talisman will attract admiring glances from Europe's elite clubs but he has never even hinted he would like to leave Old Trafford - and United want to reward that loyalty with a record wage offer of up to £130,000 per week.