Mickey has always put country before club, and the way he left Liverpool was much like McMoneyman (who was annoyed Liverpool were prepared to listen to an offer for him)and that is what wrangles us up here. If he'd done what Keegan did, then nobody would be worried. The manager (I am no fan of Benitez at the best of times) wanted him to stay but he refused, thinking the grass was greener in Madrid. He did nothing there, nobody wanted him so he ended up at Newcastle. Liverpool were never interested in him once he left, and the vast majority of fans did not want him back anyway. They have had some dross in the meantime though...
Fergie bought Mickey mainly because he was shafted by Madrid, every time he went in for a player Madrid bought him. Mickey will always know where the goal is and will score a few, and Fergie did good business there. Mickey could have played every week, become a hero at Hull or Stoke (and Stoke are a pretty useful side) but warming the bench at United? Bellamy, Adebayor, Diouf ... no comment on chaps like that.
Re the last question - depends what the job is, the location and who I would be working alongside. But I am not motivated by money, I'm an archaeologist after all ...