Rooney vs. Van Gaal

[markhrad]

Yeah, he does all that.

But nevermind that now - I have been told there are no poisonous animals (snakes and the like) on St. Kitts. Is this true?

No snakes of any kind. The introduction of the mongoose, some time ago, led to their demise.
We, however, do have centipedes and scorpions. I have been an unfortunate victim of both. I like to tell my students when the scorpion stung me IT died.
It did die because I beat the crap out of it.

 

[Ringo 07]

By the looks of things....rooney in central midfield with strootman behind him looks like it may become our new look central midfield......thats if we're lucky enough to get strootman...but I don't think we're gonna get our main targets which could force lvg to try rooney in cm and he could actually excel there...he's a better tackler than scholes that's for sure

 

[Nighteyes]

I know it appears like a personal vendetta.

The rest of your post appears to back up this notion.

You like Ronaldo despite him taking shits from anywhere and everywhere and then getting pissed when teammates didn't pass him the ball. You like Roy Keane who liked whinging at referees and teammates with equal fervor in addition to publicly criticizing the club and the players on TV. You disliked Rooney's celebration but presumably have no problem with Ronaldo's which were far more arrogant. And Rooney roaming around the pitch was common occurrence even before Ronaldo left. In fact the first season after Ronaldo left Rooney was rigid in his position, playing as a CF.

So yeah, you might as well come out and say you just hate Rooney rather than come up with a load of crap and armchair psychology. There's valid reasons to criticize Rooney (contract situation and his whoring around) but his conduct on the pitch for United has been exemplary and in all likelihood he'll end up as the club's top scorer.

 

[Adebesi]

I know it appears like a personal vendetta.
I did not mind his petulance before but I think as soon as Ronaldo left I saw a difference in him.
Ronaldo was one of my favourite Utd players, I even have 4 jerseys with his name on the back but I did not like his moaning when not being passed the ball. He still does that.
Rooney appears to have adopted that behavior but whilst Ronaldo can sometimes single-handedly win games, Rooney can not.
I remember at the world club championship in Japan when the 2 of them were being interviewed a club exec came and whispered in Ronaldo's ear and he subsequently got up, made some excuse and left.
Rooney was left to do the interview on his own all the while looking back wondering when he could leave.
He was, at that time, second fiddle to Ronaldo.
Since Ronaldo left he became more arrogant and started this roaming about the field to be constantly involved with the play. This is considered by some to be an admirable high work rate. He particularly chastises Nani for every mistake or non-pass he makes. I interpret that to be due to his feeling threatened that an in form Nani could surplant him, Rooney as our main player.
I am also tired of hearing match commentators overly praise him or every good pass or goal he scores: "world class", "typical Rooney" " such great vision" etc and then when he miscontrols, mis-passes or misses a goal you hear " uncharacteristic", " unlucky, " good idea " etc.
He has no control over what the media says but he seems to buy into it. The nike poster with his arms outstretched before a recent WC was ok but when he performed poorly it was overlooked due to a minor injury. Yet when he scored against city with the overhead kick he ran to the corner flag and repeated the
" saviour " pose. I thought it embarrassing because it made one think of his failed WC.
I could write a book. Just recently he made a comment about wanting to be Utd's captain. Who goes to the media to say that? He is clearly putiing pressure on LVG. His politically correct comments about RVP becoming captain and having to impress a new manager was looked at by some as being mature and magnanimous. I mean what else could he say?
I like this forum because there are many seemingly intelligent people here with different points of view. Maybe someone may convince me that I am wrong and that my opinion of him is skewed by my dislike. The thing is I had no problem with him before Ronaldo left.

To be totally and utterly honest with you, I think your opinion of him is slightly skewed by your dislike. But fair enough, football is an emotional game and you are entitled to your feelings, whether they seem wholly rational to me or not. You at least have your reasons.

 

[RayK47]

I do not agree. I think you underestimate Rooney's ego.
From a young age Rooney has had a feeling of entitlement. The media built him up as the next great thing. His Christ-like pose after the beauty he scored against City tells you he really buys into the "Saviour" persona, despite performing horribly at yet another WC.
There is no way someone of his mind-set will be able to cope with not being the main man.
His great work-rate is just a by product of him always wanting to be involved.
No way will he settle with being second fiddle to anyone.

Don't read too much into a goal celebration. It was at the time when he was especially not liked by the fans due to the contract matters, so I think it was more of a "here I am, accept me" celebration rather than a "I'll turn that water straight into wine" celebration. And it was a f@#%# nice goal against our local rivals, so I wouldn't blame him for feeling a little messianic, for at least a short period of time, after that.
The world cup was 2 years before that goal, so I would not expect his bad performances in that competition to be anywhere near his consciousness, especially as he was playing for Manchester United.
He can cope with not being the main man, we saw that when Ronaldo was with us, but the way you are talking about "second fiddle" makes me think you are talking about how he would react if he were to be dropped to the bench for Van Persie, which is another matter. I'm just saying, we have a vastly experienced, world recognised, tactical manager coming to United after a seemingly quite poor tactically inept one has just left. I think Rooney will be looking forward to working with him and willing to listen to what he has to say.

 

[Chesterlestreet]

No snakes of any kind. The introduction of the mongoose, some time ago, led to their demise.
We, however, do have centipedes and scorpions. I have been an unfortunate victim of both. I like to tell my students when the scorpion stung me IT died.
It did die because I beat the crap out of it.

Scorpions and centipedes are nasty buggers...but no snakes really is a selling point.

I might take that trip then. Cheers, man!

 

[markhrad]

Scorpions and centipedes are nasty buggers...but no snakes really is a selling point.

I might take that trip then. Cheers, man!

Let me know when. I will be as hospitable as I can and promise to keep those " nasty buggers " far from you.

 

[markhrad]

To be totally and utterly honest with you, I think your opinion of him is slightly skewed by your dislike. But fair enough, football is an emotional game and you are entitled to your feelings, whether they seem wholly rational to me or not. You at least have your reasons.

We all have our own perspective on things. I am pleased that, although ours differ, you treated mine with respect.

 

[markhrad]

The rest of your post appears to back up this notion.

You like Ronaldo despite him taking shits from anywhere and everywhere and then getting pissed when teammates didn't pass him the ball. You like Roy Keane who liked whinging at referees and teammates with equal fervor in addition to publicly criticizing the club and the players on TV. You disliked Rooney's celebration but presumably have no problem with Ronaldo's which were far more arrogant. And Rooney roaming around the pitch was common occurrence even before Ronaldo left. In fact the first season after Ronaldo left Rooney was rigid in his position, playing as a CF.

So yeah, you might as well come out and say you just hate Rooney rather than come up with a load of crap and armchair psychology. There's valid reasons to criticize Rooney (contract situation and his whoring around) but his conduct on the pitch for United has been exemplary and in all likelihood he'll end up as the club's top scorer.

I clearly stated that I gave Ronaldo slack because he has the ability to win games on his own. With Greatness you have to sometimes take the good with the bad. I think Rooney is a good player not great so I do not extend him the same leeway.
Keane's antics on the field were for the good of the team and after all he was the captain and a great one. I implied Rooney's were selfish.
Although Keane was my favourite player it does not mean I was not disappointed with his MUTV rant or when he walked out of Ireland camp in the Asian WC.

 

[Chesterlestreet]

Let me know when. I will be as hospitable as I can and promise to keep those " nasty buggers " far from you.

Hehe, that's a deal, mate.

 

[Lane]

To be fair that is true , although he had his annual crap spell he was one if the few players to come out of this season with credit, he has for the first time since we signed him gone a whole season without pissing me off

And how about last one, the 12-13? Rooney did have beef with Fergie, but look how he played against Villa or Stoke, again in much deeper role with a lot of workload. And that was after a Real snub, he did not even flinch. It was only after we actually won the title mathematically, he decided to air his grievances, whatever.
I think that speaks more about respect towards United than these cheesy paper stories or his salary, contract negotiation tactics whatever.

 

[Treble]

I think many fans dislike Rooney because he has been overhyped by English media, pundits and fans for years now which has made it possible for him to hold the club to ransom and get away with it. It was normal to overhype him when he was playing at world class level, say season 09-10 and in 2011. Over the last 2 seasons he hasn't been particularly good though, yet his fanboys want us to belive that he is still among the best players in the world and get a bit angry when some people dare to suggest that he isn't all that anymore. Thing is, he isn't good enough to be the main man for a great United team, let alone the "heartbeat of the team". IMO, Fergie knew it perfectly well and was ready to ship him out.

 

[sullydnl]

Rooney is odd in that it sometimes seems like he randomly switches between arrogance or lacking confidence, hard working or lazy, committed or mercenary, top quality or average. He is strangely inconsistent in that way, becomes hard to know what you're really going to get from him. That can be seriously frustrating and is a big problem when the team is built around him.

 

[markhrad]

I think many fans dislike Rooney because he has been overhyped by English media, pundits and fans for years now which has made it possible for him to hold the club to ransom and get away with it. It was normal to overhype him when he was playing at world class level, say season 09-10 and in 2011. Over the last 2 seasons he hasn't been particularly good though, yet his fanboys want us to belive that he is still among the best players in the world and get a bit angry when some people dare to suggest that he isn't all that anymore. Thing is, he isn't good enough to be the main man for a great United team, let alone the "heartbeat of the team". IMO, Fergie knew it perfectly well and was ready to ship him out.

Phew!! A kindred spirit.

 

[Lane]

I think many fans dislike Rooney because he has been overhyped by English media, pundits and fans for years now which has made it possible for him to hold the club to ransom and get away with it. It was normal to overhype him when he was playing at world class level, say season 09-10 and in 2011. Over the last 2 seasons he hasn't been particularly good though, yet his fanboys want us to belive that he is still among the best players in the world and get a bit angry when some people dare to suggest that he isn't all that anymore. Thing is, he isn't good enough to be the main man for a great United team, let alone the "heartbeat of the team". IMO, Fergie knew it perfectly well and was ready to ship him out.

It's funny that while he "has not been particularly good", last season he was our second player in terms of goal and assists, above anyone else except RVP. And in this season he was our best player in that respect. And all that despite being tossed around the field, playing a CF, behind the striker, even in a CM role. While "more productive performers" have enjoyed the luxury of the team being crafted to their liking and playing in their preferable position only.

 

[Treble]

It's funny that while he "has not been particularly good", last season he was our second player in terms of goal and assists, above anyone else except RVP. And in this season he was our best player in that respect. And all that despite being tossed around the field, playing a CF, behind the striker, even in a CM role. While "more productive performers" have enjoyed the luxury of the team being crafted to their liking and playing in their preferable position only.

Being one of the most productive players at United where he competes for a starting place with the likes of Welbeck and Hernandez is one thing and being one of the best forwards in the world is quite another. If you draw up a list of the best forwards in the world over the last two seasons, I'd be surprised if Rooney makes the top 15. FFs, he couldn't outscore CMs like Toure and Vidal. And Ramsey who was injured for 3 months, scored nearly as many goals from open paly this season as Rooney. Rooney hasn't been poor but he hasn't been world class for 2-3 years now. Yet Moyes was stupid/weak enough to allow him to hold the club to ransom. That's annoyng. And his fanboys too.

 

[Lane]

Being one of the most productive players at United where he competes for a starting place with the likes of Welbeck and Hernandez is one thing and being one of the best forwards in the world is quite another. If you draw up a list of the best forwards in the world over the last two seasons, I'd be surprised if Rooney makes the top 15. FFs, he couldn't outscore CMs like Toure and Vidal. And Ramsey who was injured for 3 months, scored nearly as many goals from open paly this season as Rooney. Rooney hasn't been poor but he hasn't been world class for 2-3 years now. Yet Moyes was stupid/weak enough to allow him to hold the club to ransom. That's annoyng. And his fanboys too.

Name me at least 10 forwards that have a better goal and assist return in the last three years. Or even two, as in 11-12 Rooney scored 34 goals, and that was the last season when the team was tailored for his needs, not the other way around. People are disregarding the fact, that Rooney is consistent and proven on that level. Other players, for example like Costa, have only one year on the top and to regard them as better just because of it is not smart.
Even last two seasons Rooney basically averaged one goal involvement per match. Which is a great return actually. I've just checked, according to espn, Rooney has 36 goals and assists this season in 40(3 subs) matches. Lewandowski has the same amount of goal involvement only in 47(2) games.
And i think "fanboy" argument is pretty much childish. Especially if you consider that Rooney delivered in United's shirt for the last 10 years. In my experience this "Rooney fanboy" argument comes from people that rate the likes of Tevez, Kagawa, Berbatov above Rooney and they are annoyed, that their idols perceived as United's flops while Rooney regarded as one of our best players in the last decade.

 

[Treble]

Name me at least 10 forwards that have a better goal and assist return in the last three years. Or even two, as in 11-12 Rooney scored 34 goals, and that was the last season when the team was tailored for his needs, not the other way around. People are disregarding the fact, that Rooney is consistent and proven on that level. Other players, for example like Costa, have only one year on the top and to regard them as better just because of it is not smart.
Even last two seasons Rooney basically averaged one goal involvement per match. Which is a great return actually. I've just checked, according to espn, Rooney has 36 goals and assists this season in 40(3 subs) matches. Lewandowski has the same amount of goal involvement only in 47(2) games.
And i think "fanboy" argument is pretty much childish. Especially if you consider that Rooney delivered in United's shirt for the last 10 years. In my experience this "Rooney fanboy" argument comes from people that rate the likes of Tevez, Kagawa, Berbatov above Rooney and they are annoyed, that their idols perceived as United's flops while Rooney regarded as one of our best players in the last decade.

First off, assists are not the same as goals. If one goes by the assists stats from last season, Gerrard was the most creative player in the league, more creative than Silva and Suarez (according to http://www.myfootballfacts.com/Premier_League_Combined_2013-14.html). And if one judges the creativity of attacking palyers mainly by the number of their assists, then Iniesta is an average player creativity wise, much worse than Gerrard. Gerrard and Rooney got many assists because they take well set pieces. Other than that they are not particularly creative. To say that Rooney is a world class creator of goals would be laughable. Rickie fecking Lambert assisted as many goals as Rooney.

Second, Rooney has scored 35 goals over the last two seasons - as many as Toure and Vidal. That's not a world class return. Costa for instance has scored 56 and outscored Rooney in both seasons, not just the last one. There are many attacking players who have been better than Rooney over the last 2 seasons: Ronaldo, Messi, Zlatan, Costa, Falcao, Müller, Cavani, Lewandowski, Suarez, Aguero, Robben, Ribery, Neymar, Bale, Benzema, Van Persie. Most of those players comfortably outscored Rooney or were much more creative than him. One could make the case about other players who don't have the reputation of being world class, e.g. Sturridge or even Dzeko (41 goals from just 54 starts for City). I haven't mentioned a player from Seria A, say from Juve, because I don't watch it but there could be other forwards who have done at least as well as Rooney over the last 2 seasons, for instance Hazard - another player who would be a much more attractive signing than Rooney, or Mata. Or Higuain. Don't know. But to think that Rooney was one of the best 10 attacking players over the last 2 seasons would be pure fanboism.

The fanboys argument may come sometimes from fans of other players but also from fans who don't bye the hype.

Edit: Just checked Higuains stats: he contributed 62 goals over the last two seasons (goals + assists).

Benzema: 78 goals! (44 goals and 34 assists)

Mandzukic: 48 (only goals)

Lewandowski: 64 (only goals)

 

[Lane]

The fanboys argument may come sometimes from fans of other players but also from fans who don't bye the hype.

Edit: Just checked Higuains stats: he contributed 62 goals over the last two seasons (goals + assists).

Benzema: 78 goals! (44 goals and 34 assists)

Mandzukic: 48 (only goals)

Lewandowski: 64 (only goals)

I'll answer in detail later, but i comfortably have Rooney over Benzema, Higuain, Mandzukic. And with some thought but i still prefer Wayne to Lewa. I think Rooney is a better player that those mentioned.
And if you think that's "pure fanboism", well... as i've said it's childish at best.

 

[Amir]

I'd have Rooney over all these players as well. The thing is, he'd need to play in their position as well, which is upfront, not behind the striker. And the problem there is Van Persie is one player I'd take over him in that position.

 

[Cassidy]

First off, assists are not the same as goals. If one goes by the assists stats from last season, Gerrard was the most creative player in the league, more creative than Silva and Suarez (according to http://www.myfootballfacts.com/Premier_League_Combined_2013-14.html). And if one judges the creativity of attacking palyers mainly by the number of their assists, then Iniesta is an average player creativity wise, much worse than Gerrard. Gerrard and Rooney got many assists because they take well set pieces. Other than that they are not particularly creative. To say that Rooney is a world class creator of goals would be laughable. Rickie fecking Lambert assisted as many goals as Rooney.

Second, Rooney has scored 35 goals over the last two seasons - as many as Toure and Vidal. That's not a world class return. Costa for instance has scored 56 and outscored Rooney in both seasons, not just the last one. There are many attacking players who have been better than Rooney over the last 2 seasons: Ronaldo, Messi, Zlatan, Costa, Falcao, Müller, Cavani, Lewandowski, Suarez, Aguero, Robben, Ribery, Neymar, Bale, Benzema, Van Persie. Most of those players comfortably outscored Rooney or were much more creative than him. One could make the case about other players who don't have the reputation of being world class, e.g. Sturridge or even Dzeko (41 goals from just 54 starts for City). I haven't mentioned a player from Seria A, say from Juve, because I don't watch it but there could be other forwards who have done at least as well as Rooney over the last 2 seasons, for instance Hazard - another player who would be a much more attractive signing than Rooney, or Mata. Or Higuain. Don't know. But to think that Rooney was one of the best 10 attacking players over the last 2 seasons would be pure fanboism.

The fanboys argument may come sometimes from fans of other players but also from fans who don't bye the hype.

Edit: Just checked Higuains stats: he contributed 62 goals over the last two seasons (goals + assists).

Benzema: 78 goals! (44 goals and 34 assists)

Mandzukic: 48 (only goals)

Lewandowski: 64 (only goals)

The only player I would take from that list above Rooney is Lewandowski. You have to remember that Rooney over the last two seasons you mentioned has not been the main goalscorer RVP has.

Edit: Well apart from this season gone, but we were shite this season

 

[Treble]

I'll answer in detail later, but i comfortably have Rooney over Benzema, Higuain, Mandzukic. And with some thought but i still prefer Wayne to Lewa. I think Rooney is a better player that those mentioned.
And if you think that's "pure fanboism", well... as i've said it's childish at best.

I mentioned at least 15 players, Mandzukic and Higuain were mentioned just for comparison - to show that Wayne's stats aren't special at all. Rooney from the last two seasons isn't better than Benzema, not at all.

 

[Treble]

I'd have Rooney over all these players as well. The thing is, he'd need to play in their position as well, which is upfront, not behind the striker. And the problem there is Van Persie is one player I'd take over him in that position.

Rooney was world class in that position 4 years ago. You think he would be as good up front as he was back then? Despite being a bit slower and less explosive...

 

[Lane]

Rooney was world class in that position 4 years ago.

It's actually two. He was great as a CF in 2012.

And on a different note anyone who questions the importance of a set-piece delivery should watch CL final or any top-match for that matter. It's vital in modern game.

I mentioned at least 15 players, Mandzukic and Higuain were mentioned just for comparison - to show that Wayne's stats aren't special at all. Rooney from the last two seasons isn't better than Benzema, not at all.

Yeah, i've seen this list included Neymar, who only has one season in europe and scored an amazing total of 15 goals.

 

[Amir]

Rooney was world class in that position 4 years ago. You think he would be as good up front as he was back then? Despite being a bit slower and less explosive...

I don't know for sure. But I'd prefer him there rather than behind the striker. Still think he has a skill set more suited to a number 9 these days.

 

[markhrad]

This Rooney debate is really going nowhere. I just hope we have an opportunity to play a few consecutive matches, at full strength, without him.
Then we could see the kind of football we are capable of playing, that is, short passes, neat dribbles and one-twos around the box.
If that failed to materialize then I would be more willing to accept his importance to the team.
Watching the CL final I notice how the Athletico forwards are so good at those same skills. No way Rooney could fit in that system of attack.

 

[Treble]

It's actually two. He was great as a CF in 2012.

And on a different note anyone who questions the importance of a set-piece delivery should watch CL final or any top-match for that matter. It's vital in modern game.
Yeah, i've seen this list included Neymar, who only has one season in europe and scored an amazing total of 15 goals.

Rooney played as a second striker in 11/12, Welbeck was our CF.

Neymar is far superior to Rooney in terms of close control and creativity. He was fantastic during the Confederations Cup.

I didn't deny the importance of a set piece delivery at all. But it doesn't define creativity. And assists stats in general. Otherwise Iniesta, one of the greatest attacking midfielders of the last 30 years, would turn out to be very uncreative. BTW, Zidane didn't have great stats about assists as well.

 

[Lane]

Rooney played as a second striker in 11/12, Welbeck was our CF.

And he scored 30+ goals.

This Rooney debate is really going nowhere. I just hope we have an opportunity to play a few consecutive matches, at full strength, without him.
Then we could see the kind of football we are capable of playing, that is, short passes, neat dribbles and one-twos around the box.
If that failed to materialize then I would be more willing to accept his importance to the team.
Watching the CL final I notice how the Athletico forwards are so good at those same skills. No way Rooney could fit in that system of attack.

He was vital part of a United's team that played much better.

 

[Treble]

And he scored 30+ goals.

True, he had a fantastic start to the season, scoring 9 goals in the first 5 games. That was in 2011. He hasn't been world class since then. He was still scoring goals in the second half of 11/12 but wasn't the same player.

 

[NinjaZombie]

Why are people talking about Rooney playing centre midfield? I thought he made it clear he doesn't want to play there?

 

[Lane]

Why are people talking about Rooney playing centre midfield? I thought he made it clear he doesn't want to play there?

Yet he does, because our team lacks quality players there and Rooney is the sort of professional that will always do a job actually.

 

[Ekeke]

Yet he does, because our team lacks quality players there and Rooney is the sort of professional that will always do a job actually.

And then complain about it and ask to leave.

As he said, he believes he deserves to play in his favourite position

 

[Nighteyes]

The fanboys argument may come sometimes from fans of other players but also from fans who don't bye the hype.

Edit: Just checked Higuains stats: he contributed 62 goals over the last two seasons (goals + assists).

Benzema: 78 goals! (44 goals and 34 assists)

Mandzukic: 48 (only goals)

Lewandowski: 64 (only goals)

1. You haven't listed the number of games each of them played. Over the last 2 seasons I'd reckon almost all the above have played more than Rooney for various reasons.
2. All of them are Center Forwards. Rooney has spent most of the last 2 seasons not playing in that position. That obviously will have an impact when comparing the scoring records.
3. Rooney has 68 goals/assists over the last 2 seasons which is a brilliant record. Now, obviously not all of that period has seen Rooney at his best but what that shows is that he contributes a lot even when he isn't at his best. Take the Real game last season. He had a poor-ish game and yet set up our goals and should have had another assist if RVP hadn't missed his chance. Sign of a quality player.


People continually exaggerate his flaws whilst disregarding his qualities which is amusing. The guy above saying Rooney wouldn't do well in a fast flowing game, which is revisionism at it's best. Some of the best football we've played in the last decade or so has had Rooney at it's heart. Rooney will benefit as much as anyone else from a change in our style. Anyone thinking Rooney is the reason why our football is shit needs to get their heads checked.

 

[NinjaZombie]

Yet he does, because our team lacks quality players there and Rooney is the sort of professional that will always do a job actually.

So professional he asks to leave when told to do so?

 

[Lane]

And then complain about it and ask to leave.

As he said, he believes he deserves to play in his favourite position

And he still played in CM many times this season. I also believe player of Rooney's caliber is entitled to play in his favorite position, and not deputize for other players.

True, he had a fantastic start to the season, scoring 9 goals in the first 5 games. That was in 2011. He hasn't been world class since then. He was still scoring goals in the second half of 11/12 but wasn't the same player.

That's just 9 goals, out of 27 he scored, a bit more than half (14) were scored in a second half of the season.

 

[hp88]

And then complain about it and ask to leave.

As he said, he believes he deserves to play in his favourite position

We would have to rotate him with RVP, one of them would have to sit out completely if Rooney refused to play in CM but I can't see LVG dropping either of them.

 

[Treble]

1. You haven't listed the number of games each of them played. Over the last 2 seasons I'd reckon almost all the above have played more than Rooney for various reasons.
2. All of them are Center Forwards. Rooney has spent most of the last 2 seasons not playing in that position. That obviously will have an impact when comparing the scoring records.
3. Rooney has 68 goals/assists over the last 2 seasons which is a brilliant record. Now, obviously not all of that period has seen Rooney at his best but what that shows is that he contributes a lot even when he isn't at his best. Take the Real game last season. He had a poor-ish game and yet set up our goals and should have had another assist if RVP hadn't missed his chance. Sign of a quality player.


People continually exaggerate his flaws whilst disregarding his qualities which is amusing. The guy above saying Rooney wouldn't do well in a fast flowing game, which is revisionism at it's best. Some of the best football we've played in the last decade or so has had Rooney at it's heart. Rooney will benefit as much as anyone else from a change in our style. Anyone thinking Rooney is the reason why our football is shit needs to get their heads checked.

68 contributed goals over 2 seasons (not sure that's true but I don't care about that now) isn't great at all, particularly for a forward who takes set pieces. Gerrard contributed to 27 league goals by taking set pieces, while being a CM. Most of those centre forwards don't take corners and free kicks. Rooney has been from average to good last season, very good in the first half of this season and average again in the seond half. Definetely not a top ten forward in the world over the last 2 years.

 

[RedRover]

Rooney will, in my opinion, not be daft enough to cause trouble.

If he kicks up a stink - who is going to pay a fee and give him as big a wages as he's on?

He though last summer that all the top clubs would be queuing up for him - but they weren't. Chelsea smelled a bargain desperate for a striker but now have Costa. Maybe PSG would bite but can you see Wayne Rooney in Paris in a second rate league? Doubtful.

As it is he probably isn't going to get any better and has had a tough career with a lot of games for a lad his age. He'd cost money and want a mega deal like he has and I doubt that many clubs would want to take the risk frankly.

He has a chance to be one ifUnited's greatest ever players and the chance to move to another top side is likely passed.

 

[Lane]

So professional he asks to leave when told to do so?

That's actually common, i don't where you work and what sort of job you do, but any skilled professional thinks about resigning, quitting if he feels underappreciated or if he thinks his job skills are not used properly.
Many fans are don't extrapolate real-life experience on football, and maybe there is a reason for that, i mean football is a hobby, so it's supposed to be as far away as possible from anything work-related, even in terms of logic. Yet, it's important to remember, that for players football is not a hobby, it's a work, career.

 

[Juan't Mata]

Not sure why its a given that LVG and Rooney will clash. I think the new boss will love him