Mar 07
Not the White Pele, but Rooney is going nowhere
Up until 7.45pm on Tuesday night, in keeping with a lazy habit that wants everything to be boiled down to one individual, Manchester United – Real Madrid had been billed as the “Ronaldo homecoming”. As the teamsheets were announced, the game became a sort of unofficial “Ryan Giggs day”, before ultimately, and rather depressingly if you are a Red, turning into Cuneyt Cakir’s night.
One man has since elevated, or rather has been elevated, above the game itself by the media after United bowed out at the hands of Jose’ Mourinho’s men. Ironically, the player in question spent a mere 25 minutes on the pitch but speculation on his future has been rife from the very second Sir Alex decided to omit him from the starting line-up. Rooney’s omission against Madrid is bound to create a number of Manchester United transfer rumours but is there any truth to them?
The general consensus among tabloids and broadsheets (not to mention Michael Owen’s ever so insightful intervention on talkSPORT yesterday) is that the writing is on the wall for Wayne Rooney and has been so for over 18 months, since he dared to question the club’s hierarchy and its policy which, he felt, didn’t show enough ambition to match his own, insatiable, desire to win. From that gloomy October afternoon, Rooney has secured a much improved contract, lifted a title and came within a whisker of winning another, played and scored in a Champions League final.
Despite a traumatic period after his return to action in 2010 when section of United fans were, understandably, unwilling to welcome him back with open arms, Rooney seemed to have restored his credit with the club, working tirelessly for the team and recovering from an initial slump of form earlier in the season to forge a formidable partnership with Robin Van Persie, whose purchase provided a stark contrast to United’s perceived lack of ambition.
Yet, for the majority of the media, Tuesday’s omission was an ominous sign for Rooney, despite the fact that United’s gameplan had worked brilliantly until Nani’s controversial red card. Sir Alex had been waiting for a chance to send out a message to the former Everton striker and what better occasion than dropping him for United’s biggest game of the season yet?
Forget about United being 12 points clear at the top and in the quarter finals of the FA Cup, Sir Alex was relishing the opportunity to pull the trigger on a player who, despite being only 27, has already notched 195 goals for the club – 14 goals in 24 starts this season, a better time/contribution ratio than Robin Van Persie – and is willing to be deployed out of position if required. Undoubtedly Rooney hasn’t helped himself with his taste for a drink or two accompanied by the occasional cigarette, but one has to wonder why the story has exploded after he was left on the bench rather than, say, when he was dropped altogether after reporting to training out of shape in December 2011.
Ironically the media who have always enjoyed a pop at Rooney’s inability to leave a mark on the big occasions were quick to portray him as irreplaceable on Tuesday. After all it wouldn’t be the first time that a home game against Real Madrid spells the end for a United player, with David Beckham’s successful cameo off the bench eight years ago regarded as the final nail in the coffin in the relationship between Fergie and the former England captain who, in the wake of his omission (and with a couple of strategically placed stitches above his eyebrow) decided to depart at the end of that season, becoming another of Sir Alex’s illustrious casualties.
Then, and when Ruud Van Nistelrooy departed a couple of season afterwards, Ronaldo and Rooney stepped up to fill the gaps, a luxury United couldn’t afford when Jaap Stam and Roy Keane stormed out of the club and one that they might not be able to afford now. Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez development has been nothing short of impressive, while Robin Van Persie has slotted into the team seamlessly, but Rooney’s departure would deprive the team of a proven goalscorer, as well as of a selfless character.
Ronaldo’s triumphant return poured yet more fuel on an already blazing fire, with pundits and writers alike quick to point out that Rooney, once considered amongst the most talented players in the world, hadn’t matured to the level of his former teammate and Lionel Messi. The English media take Rooney’s perceived involution almost as a direct insult to the national public, a public that had long been craving for a saviour and thought to have found one when the Liverpool-born teenager burst onto the scenes. How dare Sir Alex Ferguson play Rooney out of position and curb his belligerence in the interest of his club, thus depriving the English public of the chance of having a player capable of terrorising Europe and the world every two years?
As reports linking Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo with a move to United intensified over the last couple of weeks, Fergie’s selection against Real Madrid couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time, but a couple of questions ought to be asked. Would we be talking about it, had United gone through? Would the media be talking about it with such insistence if another club was involved? “No” is probably the answer to both questions.
He might not have matured into the “White Pele” that terrace chant compares him to, but Wayne Rooney has been an extremely good servant to Manchester United and if that upsets members of the media, too bad for them.
Dan (@MUFC_dan87)
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Tags: Opinion Piece
The_Philosopher (408)
Redrich (225)
Opti (210)
Stephen (152)
Moscow (147)
Couldn’t agree more. Wrote a similar piece here. All about the tactics for the night, nothing more.
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Ian Holloway said this today and this should remain the standard answer to anyone questioning Rooney’s place in the team:
“I don’t get this, y’know, all of a sudden it’s all over every paper he’s going, what a load of absolute tosh. Sir Alex can pick whoever he likes when he likes and he does, and he’s brilliant at it. So he decided to leave him there and play Ryan Giggs, so it was working, it was working until the bloke was completely crazily sent off.
“How can you actually keep your eye on the ball like that and it’s coming over there (points over his head) and you put your foot up to have a bit of skill, and their bloke runs into your foot, rolls about like some sort of dying duck and then you get sent off and it ruins one of the best games you could ever have seen, I don’t get it.
“I thought the referee was arrogant, he didn’t look good to me but leave the Rooney thing alone, Sir Alex will play him wherever he sees fit, it doesn’t mean there’s a big rift, it doesn’t mean anything.”
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The story has surfaced because of Rooney’s form and the lack of it and not because of team selection or Fergie vendetta issues. If Rooney was playing like he did 3 seasons ago this would be a non-starter and the back pages would be torn up and saved for a rainy day in the outhouse.
I cannot think of another club that would have spent the time and money trying to nurture the very best out of him and I think he knows that too.
But it’s now time to do some accounting with Rooney and to me he’e a whole lot of red ink.
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I’m a very excitable person but I do try not to jump to conclusions.
Is it not possible that there is a perfectly good explanation (that does not involve the impending exit of Waynee Rooney) to Sir Alex’s decision to leave his erstwhile best player on the bench in a crucial knock out game?
Isn’t it just a little convenient for the rumour crazy media to pounce on such a happening and “smell blood in the water?”
The media jump on anything and try spin a story out of it.
Aren’t we reading a little bit too much into it when Sir Alex Ferguson is renowned for making the oddest of team selections?
One particular game against Arsenal he played the Da Silva twins in attack on both wings (and one of them even scored that night the little rascals).
If we had gone through I agree that the noise from the media wouldn’t be like this at all.
And that stuff about Ronaldo coming back is just as fanciful as Rooney leaving.
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@The_Philosopher: Absolutely, but what do you think of Rooney’s form this season??
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@Redrich: he has 12 goals and 12 assists in 26 outings. pretty good i’d say given that he hasnt been playing as our main striker.
actually this is his most productive season as per stats (0.92 goals + assists per game).
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@jos: Cobblers, mate. The man is as potent as a used tea-bag in almost every game. Stats will not save him or your argument. Prepare thy self for the big heave-ho!!
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@jos: Oh, and by the way. have you asked yourself why he isn’t playing as our main striker?
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@Redrich: Rooney’s form has been sub optimal.
He could do better.
But you also have to temper that view with the fact that he has been injured for long periods this season. And he has also been played in odd positions.
He needs a run in his favoured no.10 position to build his form back.
I would give Rooney a 6.8 out of 10 this for form.
But he gets a 9 out of 10 for commitment and selflessness.
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With Ed Woodward reportedly saying that our max net output on transfers is 25mil per annum, you have to ask yourself what a 20mil bag for Rooney could do for our status in the summer TM.
What do we need if Rooney goes?
Well we need our usual suspects, but beyond that we do now need a reliable winger and a replacement for Rooney and who else would fit the bill better that our beloved CR7?? Come on, you have to love the synergy behind this idea, and who else would make Ferguson’s dream come true.
So how you all feel about Ronaldo for about 40mil in exchange for Rooney and his 13mil salary and his legacy of under achievement??
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@Redrich: It’s a cute theory but Ronaldo is gone and will never come back. He knows he can make 300K/week at PSG if he wants to leave. I simply don’t see him come back to United.
Now, I can see Rooney go to Madrid for 35 million and then United bidding 35 million for Bale. That kid is special and more likely to come to United than Ronaldo. Bale would be perfect when Giggs retires so maybe it will be another year… it’s too perfect a fit: a Welsh #11… who plays like Ronaldo
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@Opti: I don’t know that I would sell Rooney if it meant we get Bale.
I would be very sad to see Rooney go. Rooney is a true red and a United legend.
Rooney brings too much to the team in terms of fighting spirit and the will to win. He’s our club’s talisman. He really is.
Rooney’s form has been up and down of late and he has become less critical to the squad but we still need him.
I’m not willing to take the risk of losing him for Gareth Bale
I would be very happy to see Bale playing with Kagawa and van Persie. And Nani and Zaha.
But if we lost Rooney for Bale I feel like we would be losing something that nobody could replace.
I would rather just spend 50million on Gareth Bale and tell Rooney “see. we ARE an ambitious club” (or 80 million even)
PS: We should play Nani as a striker for a couple games. He is just oozing talent.
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@Redrich: Stats dont lie mate. Not many peop@The_Philosopher: I’d sell Rooney for Bale. This would allow Rooney to have a fresh start. He’s been abused too much at United. How many important games we’ve seen him play left of the midfiled to protect that side… Its rubbish really. Why not have a proper left winger instead.
Fact is Rooney delivered in that central role when Boss played him there. But yet SAF screwed up with him again and again. SAF did the same with tevez. he formed such a formidable partnership with rooney up front yet SAF bought berbatov for 30m (that he could have invested better in a midfielder that we all have been screaming for ages now… how about yaya toure instead of berbatov?) he screwed up tevez thence (benches him after he scored 4 goals in a game!!!) he screwed up berba after that in favor of “I shall not score” Welbeck. And now he is screwing chicharito in favor of same “I shall not score” Welbeck.
I can see Rooney leaving. If a club like Barca/Real come for him (and they may) he will leave. Real might be tempted to pair him up with Ronaldo (and also make money on shirt sales). Similarly I can see chicharito leaving. Why should a player of his class warm the bench here. He is a goal machine and will be success everywhere.
Further on Nani, I think now he might stay and sign that contract as his apology to the supporters (if he loves united) else he will also be shown the door.
Interesting summer this is gonna be.. At least we are guaranteed lots of unwanted Rooney attention from now till he signs another contract.
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Abused? On the 250k a week he demanded out of the club? He’s a wanker and deserves what’s around the corner no matter how much Fergie denies it HE WILL have him over….one day.
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@The_Philosopher: We do not need to prove to Rooney that we ambitious club etc. It’s Rooney who has to proof his worth to club.
People who were in better form, who scored hat tricks, who were top scorers of the club have been benched the very next match.
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He is a wanker? That is harsh, he made a mistake and admitted as much. His goals nearly won us the league back, short memories we have these days.
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@Stephen: thats how we treat 200 goal strikers. I cant believe people here slag rooney like that.
Rooney makes 250k a week. Now how much does the club make? If he was on 50k instead the rest 200k per month would be going in Glazers pockets only. I dont care they lose 200k a month on Rooney. I’d rather have Rooney than saving 250k for Glazerscum.
How much do players like Toure, Tevez, RVP, Terry make in a week? And how much does Nasri make?
Rooney is our club talisman. I bet Utd make enough money from his image rights and selling his name than what he makes off us. Lets get off this money talk. Fact is in todays world top sportsmen make lot of money. Becks had a $250m deal at LAG (if I am not wrong).
its funny, Nani has been crazy shit for 2 seasons running yet everybody here worships him all the time expecting for that magical performance in the “next” game (the game that now comes only once in a blue moon).
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He got that deal by publicly holding the club to ransom, imo that makes him a wanker. A few people need to realise there’s more to football than football. He’s a victim of his own work ethic on the pitch, but he’s a victim of his own fookin stupidity off it, overall he doesn’t deserve to be at United, that’s my opinion.
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My memory is a lengthy one and my fickleness is less than most peoples. He doesn’t deserve to wear the shirt regardless of his effort on pitch (which has definitely diminished), his goals or his pre-2010 influence on the team.
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Jos, it is pathetic mate. People forget about before Beckham was sold his contract issues with image rights. Keane held the club to ransom for simply more money. Rooney last season scored 34 in 44, yeah he is a wanker…
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Oh right, so your personal opinion of someone is based solely on the goals they score. That’s the epitomy of fickle, mate.
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If a player performs for us he desreves credit.
Most people still support Ronaldo, for me he is a wanker simply because he declared his love for Real Madrid couldn’t wait to leave, is that fickle? Or do people just have an issue with Rooney and use his contract as a weapon against him?
Rooney has played well for us and been an player for us, yes he made a mistake, so what move on.
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Funnily enough I wasn’t a lover of Ronaldo either but he’s streets ahead of Rooney on the football ability scale. Ronaldo’s petulant performance v City in the 50yr tribute fixture was the final straw for me, regardless of his ability I was glad to see the back of him. I’m something of a disciplinarian, that’s why you won’t hear a bad word from me about the likes of Carrick, Irwin, Scholes, O’Shea, Nicky Butt, Gary Neville etc, players who understand the size of the club and their inferiority to it, players who would never drag the clubs name through dirt or treat it like shit. Mr Rooney could learn a lot from these people.
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With Rooney there seems to an agenda with some. He has always by many been called “over rated” “never reached his potential” ect. He let himself down with what he did over his contract. How can we be judgemental to say that isn’t he entitled to negotiate the best deal for him? Are you saying that no one has ever tried to neg the best deal for them? He was also manipulated by he crook of an agent, but he should no better and do things in the right way.
Saying supporters only get behind him because he scores for me is what fandom is, surely? If a player produces for your club, he is naturally going to endear himself to the fans. Look at Torres, he had all the support in the World until recently when it is clear he can’t be arsed. If Rooney works hard, get on with his game, scores goals an we win a few pots then I am happy, call me fickle.
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There’s negotiating and there’s holding to ransom, Rooney did the latter, huge difference in my book.
Quite ironic how, after Rooney saying we’re not in the market for top quality players, the next signing we make up front comes in and usurps him, brilliant. Careful what you wish for Wayne.
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@Ian: rooney didnt hold the club for ransom, he didnt sign a new contract for the sake of the money…… he was worried that the club would not invest in the team, he only said what everyone else was thinking…. and in truth he has sacrificed his own personal goals as a player for the sake of team. it is border line disgusting how he has been moved from postion to position when he should just be left alone
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He’s a victim of his own work ethic I agree. His goal at The Etihad a few seasons ago sums him up. He passes from way outside the box to right wing, cross comes in and guess who’s rising highest to head it home? Well, that’s his problem, he wants to do too much, he’s too good at working hard and doing the work of two men sometimes three. Players like that are easily manouvered around the pitch to accommodate, BUT if you cast your mind back to Wayne’s most recent switch you’ll remember he sulked for the entire match in Bernabeu hence (I think) his omission from Tuesday’s XI. The greatest players in the world are specialists not utility men, Rooney should’ve concentrated on what he does best if he wanted to be left alone. The lad should’ve scored more goals than he has because his BEST attribute is his finishing, instead he’s attempted to showboat with hollywood balls from deep midfield. It’s not just SAF utilising him in other roles either, England managers have done too, that says a lot that no one trusts him to hold his position. He can’t play as a lone striker so all modern day tactics make him redundant as a striker (unless he stays up front) that wouldn’t be the case if he’d concentrated on his job rather than everyone elses.
I’ve got no sympathy for him no matter how much of a case you put forward for him. If he had an issue it should’ve been sorted privately and w/o the need for an increase in wages.
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Rooney has scored 34 goals in 2 of the past 4 seasons. In the first of those 34 goal seasons, he played as a lone striker. He was then brought back because the midfield was being overrun. It’s as simple as that. I wish Welbeck could be a failure like Rooney, he could certainly do with getting more goals than Jonny Evans or Patrice Evra.
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Moscow you need a new argument. Same old thing allllllll the time!
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@Ian: isn’t his argument: buy a midfielder and bring rooney back up front of attack and watch the White Pele unfold?
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Ha no. It’s Danny Welbeck doesn’t score goals therefore he’s not very good.
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Ian, are you saying that a centre forward who scored 2 goals in 32 games is good then?
Rooney who has carried our side and sells more shirts than any other player shouldn’t be well paid?
He hardly held the club to ransom mate, they couldhave said no and sold him. If the manager wanted him out and wasn’t happy with him, he would be long gone by now.
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Ian, there is an argument that 2 goals in 32 games isn’t very good mate.
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Maybe, but the man in control doesn’t seem to be perturbed by it it and he matters most.
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Welbeck offers something else, but lets be honest mate he finishing is poor and his goal record is even poorer.
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