Newsmakers

Signed Soccer star Wayne Rooney ended a week of speculation about his future Friday by changing his mind and signing a five-year contract with English club Manchester United. Only days after announcing he was prepared to leave the club he joined in 2004 because it was not aggressive enough in acquiring players, Rooney said he was persuaded to stay following talks with manager Alex Ferguson and the club’s American owners, the Glazer family.

Suspended Vancouver enforcer Rick Rypien was suspended six games for grabbing a fan during the Canucks’ loss to Minnesota on Thursday night. Rypien was headed to the locker room after being assessed a double minor for roughing and 10-minute misconduct when he reached up and grabbed James Engquist, a fan applauding at the railing. The Canucks also were fined $25,000, as required by NHL policy.

Sidelined Miami Heat swingman Mike Miller will be sidelined until January after undergoing surgery to repair a broken right thumb as well as ligament damage. Miller was injured in a freak accident at practice on Wednesday and will be in a cast for four weeks, then in a brace for extra recovery time.

Retired Former American World Cup star Brian McBride announced he will retire after playing in the MLS regular-season finale for the Chicago Fire tonight. McBride’s career spanned 17 years, included stints in Europe and the U.S. as a professional, three World Cups and more than 150 goals.

Wounded Former Georgetown and NBA player Charles Smith was shot at his Prince George’s County (Va.) home. Police said a man found with a gunshot wound at the home in Bowie was taken to a local hospital where he was listed in serious condition. Police are still investigating a motive in the shooting. A search of the home turned up a large quantity of cocaine and evidence of a gambling operation, police spokeswoman Sgt. Michelle Reedy said.

Dropped Prosecutors in San Diego won’t charge former NFL star Junior Seau after his live-in girlfriend alleged she was assaulted. The San Diego County district attorney’s office said it reached its decision after reviewing an investigation by Oceanside, Calif., police. The 41-year-old Seau was arrested early Monday on suspicion of domestic violence. Police said his 25-year-old girlfriend reported she was assaulted during an argument.