Former Manchester United winger Gordon Hill has accused Wayne Rooney of holding the club to ransom by reportedly demanding a £300,000-a-week contract to stay at United.
The England international is said to have twice asked to leave Old Trafford during his career, and was the subject of two rejected bids from Chelsea last summer.
Despite reports that he was on his way out, it has now emerged that the club are expected to announce that Rooney has put pen to paper on a lucrative long-term deal.
"I find it absolutely appalling," Hill told talkSPORT. "It's a joke. It's like holding the club to ransom. You can give him another £50,000 or £100,000, but I wouldn't even think about it until after the World Cup to see what type of performance he puts in.
"What amazes me is you have a contract with someone and [the club] think they're going to get snatched away. He's just signed a new contract so [where does it end] if all of a sudden he turns around and says, 'I want another £50,000 otherwise I'm not going to play well'? It's getting ridiculous."
Reports have claimed that United, who are currently seventh in the Premier League table, will announce Rooney's new deal at the weekend.