Manchester United Transfer Rumors: David Moyes Not Rushing To Offer Wayne Rooney New Contract

Though Manchester United began the 2013-2014 campaign in somewhat sluggish fashion, first-year head coach David Moyes and company have been able to get back on track as the competitive Barclays Premier League season continues to progress. Coming off a campaign that saw the club claim another league championship, Moyes - who spent the previous 11 seasons as manager of Everton - was presented with the challenge of continuing the strong legacy former coach Sir Alex Ferguson built in 26 seasons on the Old Trafford sideline. Thanks to the strong offensive play of Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney, the 50-year-old boss has The Red Devils in contention across the BPL table, even though the club hasn't completely returned to old form.

Currently sitting eighth in the Premier League with 22 points, Manchester United remains nine points back of Arsenal in the twenty-team league. Still only three points behind Manchester City for the No. 3 spot in the table, The Red Devils are among a handful of teams that still hold the ability to improve their overall standing as the BPL season winds down. While the focus is certainly on improving in the English league and maintaining strong play in the UEFA Champions League, Moyes and higher ups at Old Trafford will soon need to look at the contract status of Wayne Rooney, since his deal will run out in less than two years.

Under contract for the next 18 months, Wayne Rooney continues to play at a high level with the defending Premier League champs. The 28-year-old will be able to depart Old Trafford on a free transfer in the summer of 2015 if he is not re-signed with his current club, but with other high priorities facing Man U at the present time, David Moyes doesn't want the focus to be on a new contract for Rooney because he knows the situation will be taken care of when the time is right.

"I don't really know," Moyes said when asked recently when talks between player and organization could take place. "I think we're fine, we're just moving on from the summer. It'll get done in good course and the appropriate people will talk when the time's right."

Rooney - who has spent the last 10 seasons with Manchester United after opening his senior career in 2002 with Moyes at Everton - has been an offensive pleasure this season. In tremendous form from the get-go, the Liverpool, England native is tied for the team lead in goals with Robin van Persie. The Red Devils duo have scored 10 goals apiece in all competitions with Rooney also recording 10 assists. Hoping to continue his strong individual play, Rooney noted recently that his ultimate goal is to help the team win games rather than worry about personal statistics.

"I'm confident and playing well but that's down to my team-mates," he said. "I'm just trying to do my job and help us to be successful. We're on a good run but need to try and turn some draws into wins."