Wayne Rooney | 2012-14 Performances

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Have never really understood the talk of Rooney and orthodox 442s, I must admit. In terms of his positioning he's exactly the sort of player a team like ours needs, what with us having no real attacking threat from midfield to bridge the gap between midfield and the attack.

Would swap him for Ozil without a second's thought, mind you. Ideal with regards to his positioning and role as well as having that technical consistency and invention through the centre that we need (desperately...). Dream scenario last year actually would've been for Rooney to really cement that midfield role as his own, with us then signing Ozil in the summer to provide what Rooney lacked.
 
KingEric7 said:
Would swap him for Ozil without a second's thought, mind you. Ideal with regards to his positioning and role as well as having that technical consistency and invention through the centre that we need (desperately...). Dream scenario last year actually would've been for Rooney to really cement that midfield role as his own, with us then signing Ozil in the summer to provide what Rooney lacked.
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Could you think of any 'strikers' that play a similar role that you would swap him with? I think that was his point. (Not sure)

Of course a proper playmaking AM would be a better choice in a 'creative' perspective.
 
ghaliboy said:
Could you think of any 'strikers' that play a similar role that you would swap him with? I think that was his point. (Not sure)

Of course a proper playmaking AM would be a better choice in a 'creative' perspective.
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Not currently, nope.

I took it more as him saying that he isn't really a striker for us (which he isn't). I think that'd probably be his best position currently, but it's definitely no 442 when he plays. I think it's sometimes underrated in that respect what Rooney brings to the table, especially given the odd suggestion on here of Van Persie playing that role. That would not work, in my opinion; he hasn't the same positional sense in deeper areas as Rooney, and we don't have the midfield to make up for it. I spend a lot of time on here singing the same tune about why Rooney is a big part of what is going wrong in advanced central areas but, so far as controlling games from deeper areas goes, a player of his positional play is key.

Ahh...would solve a lot of problems if were to ever become a top class midfielder, though. It shouldn't be beyond him really either - I can't think of another attacking player on the whole planet off the top of my head who would, theoretically, be more suitable for that sort of conversion.
 
I'd like to see Rooney playing with a top midfield. We saw glimpses in 10/11 when that midfield of Carrick and Giggs clicked for us in the CL and Rooney was on fire. He hasn't really played with a top midfield much for United or England.
 
Liam147 said:
Erm, no, I'd just rather he left at the end of the year and we got a suitable replacement in. I'm not saying that I shed a tear every time he nears the record. It'll just be a shame that he'll get it and it'll stay in place for some time. Of all the people, could you think of anyone less like Sir Bobby to take the mantle?
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And which other striker deserves it better? If a player stick with us for 10 years and score more goals than that, then he deserves the record.

Nick 0208 Ldn said:
So not only would he be reluctant to play at CM or on the left wing when circumstances warranted [injuries or the quality/style of an opponent], playing as a more selfless No 10 would be unacceptable too?

Little wonder Sir Alex had begun to grow tired of the situation.

He's putting in the running for now however it would seem that Fergie did indeed have cause to act as he did.
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Rubbish. He was made to play just because Fergie felt it was better for the team. It was a rational decision, not a circumstance forced one. And when has Rooney been selfish on the field? I don't think he complained immediately after the first match...only after indications that he may be played in middle regularly after arrival of RvP. Is a striker asking to be played as a striker that difficult to comprehend?
 
KingEric7 said:
Ahh...would solve a lot of problems if were to ever become a top class midfielder, though. It shouldn't be beyond him really either - I can't think of another attacking player on the whole planet off the top of my head who would, theoretically, be more suitable for that sort of conversion.
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Yeah but Rooney wants to play and he's effective playing the free role so why not keep him there. Even if he plays it a bit like a striker, I just think he loves the goals to much to play deeper.
 
ghaliboy said:
Yeah but Rooney wants to play and he's effective playing the free role so why not keep him there. Even if he plays it a bit like a striker, I just think he loves the goals to much to play deeper.
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We'll just have to see how it goes with him as the season develops. If he plays as he has for most of the last 2 years, the same problems will remain going forward. He needs to be more inventive and more consistent.
 
He was out of form, and was dropped from the team. His ego was hurt, and with his contract coming up for renewal was acting up. Rooney can't really come up with a decent reason for his actions over the summer.
 
So let's get this straight, he was not happy playing in a position that he enjoyed playing in. No wonder he's confused and angry.
 
It's a funny one. I'm quite sure Rooney said in his book that he sees himself in midfield later on in his career (I know he meant in a few years), but he clearly said he enjoyed it last season, yet he has a hissy fit and asks to leave when Fergie asks him to play in midfield for a few games in the run-in because Cleverley was off the pace, and Anderson was... well... Anderson. I'm quite sure it was no more than 3-4 matches plus playing on the wing once at the Bernabèu.

He played behind RvP for more than 90% of the games he was fit for. We had a combination of Kagawa playing behind RvP and RvP playing behind Chicharito when Rooney was out injured, but neither were used when Rooney was available, so it's not like he lost his place behind the striker.

The comments from Moyes a few weeks ago about not playing Rooney in midfield make sense now, as does the observation that he's playing a bit higher up than usual. If we had a really solid midfield behind the forwards I would understand - the addition of Flamini in Arsenals midfield gives them that imo, so Özil won't have to drop back as much, but with us I think its important for the number 10 to play almost as a third midfielder at times.

Looking at the graphics brwned posted in the spoiler, Arsenals midfield is almost overloaded and doesn't lack support as everyone drifts inside (which isn't always great when you need 'something different' but stops them being overrun and isolating the CMs). We are so much more spread out which is why I think the midfield could do with being supported more, especially as it isn't our strong point.

Rooney has personally been playing well, with the exception of the Sunderland game, but the team hasn't, and that isn't ideal, especially when it's not bringing results. I just think if we are going to start dominating games something will have to change, but can't see Moyes asking Rooney to support the midfield more or opting to play a third CM because that will mean moving Rooney out of position.
 
Sultan said:
He was out of form, and was dropped from the team. His ego was hurt, and with his contract coming up for renewal was acting up. Rooney can't really come up with a decent reason for his actions over the summer.
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Sums it up perfectly.

Despite any attempts at justifying his actions, this was the second time he denigrated the club in public. His silence spoke volumes throughout the summer. These recent revelations are likely something to do with a new contract so he doesn't appear hypocritical if/when he signs a new one.
 
Top player in wanting to play in their best position shocker.

Anyone else think this is the start of the charm offensive that will inevitably see a new contract sorted very soon?
 
Sandikan said:
Top player in wanting to play in their best position shocker.

Anyone else think this is the start of the charm offensive that will inevitably see a new contract sorted very soon?
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I think he will sign a new deal. Two reasons, I think he has come to his senses and secondly, besides Chelsea, I don't think there are many other options really.
 
Sultan said:
He was out of form, and was dropped from the team. His ego was hurt, and with his contract coming up for renewal was acting up. Rooney can't really come up with a decent reason for his actions over the summer.
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He wasn't dropped from the team because he was out of form. He wasn't out of form when he was dropped against Madrid but lets not get into that again, it's been done to death in this thread.
 
I think Rooney was more upset a being moved back into midfield "to get his form back" than really playing midfield, though I'm sure van Persie getting all the plaudits up front didn't help things. As Sultan said it's simply a case of his ego being bruised.
 
Sandikan said:
Top player in wanting to play in their best position shocker.

Anyone else think this is the start of the charm offensive that will inevitably see a new contract sorted very soon?
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I think that's his motive now.

I believe he thought he'd have his pick of the clubs this summer. The lack of interest in him probably brought him back down to earth.

I expect a few contracts to be sorted in the coming months.
 
To be fair, it's pretty likely he's hired someone to do his Twitter stuff. It sounds too good to be him.
 
Arf! The edit in of the word 'stupid' was definitely required. (This was directed at Hectic before he deleted his post...)

Oh, and where are all the folks that were convinced he never wanted to leave? Also, worth pointing out that he essentially questioned the integrity of the club / Fergie by saying he never wanted out, and now he admits he actually did in fact.

Meh, too much effort, just play football Wayne, stop talking.
 
KingEric7 said:
We'll just have to see how it goes with him as the season develops. If he plays as he has for most of the last 2 years, the same problems will remain going forward. He needs to be more inventive and more consistent.
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But he's never really going to be 'more inventive'. He's never been a creative midfielder, his game has been about being a striker with determination, some handy power, good enough on the ball to fashion chances and a pretty good eye for a finish. He's done well in all roles because he has had the determination and the vision on the ball to succeed, supplemented by the fact that he is naturally a stiker and those attributes fare him well. It's the same as Ozil or David Silva playing up front, obviously you wouldn't see the same 'striker' ability, skillset and stat output. Much like a couple of seasons ago when Silva had a high assist low goal count and Rooney had a high goal low assist count and they were arguably playing the same role and position.

Anyway we're just arguing semantics, I am sure we both want Rooney's form to continue and roll on Sir Bobby's record. Hope he can watch him do it as well because of the way he's spoken about Rooney in the past he really has a lot of respect for the lad.
 
Poor lad, not sure how he coped playing in CM for those 2 or 3 games. I'm not sure the half a million he pocketed during that difficult time made up for it either.
 
shaggy said:
Poor lad, not sure how he coped playing in CM for those 2 or 3 games. I'm not sure the half a million he pocketed during that difficult time made up for it either.
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:lol:

It's fecking pathetic isn't it? I've sort of warmed up to him again because of the shifts he's been putting in, but reading stuff like that puts him back in the massive twat zone again.

Just stop talking Wayne ffs.
 
Sell him in January to a side with lots of strikers but few midfielders
 
He did also say that he doesn't mind playing deeper in the last 30 mins of games as he understands if we need to see out a game.
 
It's quite funny about how many posters here rate words above actions!

On one hand we have Ronaldo, who left us to 'chase his dream' and still talks good and so is considered by many as a legend. On the other hand we have Rooney who has stuck with us for 10 years and scored 200 goals, yet still is repulsive and needs to be sold off just for his statements!
 
ghaliboy said:
But he's never really going to be 'more inventive'. He's never been a creative midfielder, his game has been about being a striker with determination, some handy power, good enough on the ball to fashion chances and a pretty good eye for a finish. He's done well in all roles because he has had the determination and the vision on the ball to succeed, supplemented by the fact that he is naturally a stiker and those attributes fare him well. It's the same as Ozil or David Silva playing up front, obviously you wouldn't see the same 'striker' ability, skillset and stat output. Much like a couple of seasons ago when Silva had a high assist low goal count and Rooney had a high goal low assist count and they were arguably playing the same role and position.

Anyway we're just arguing semantics, I am sure we both want Rooney's form to continue and roll on Sir Bobby's record. Hope he can watch him do it as well because of the way he's spoken about Rooney in the past he really has a lot of respect for the lad.
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Rooney used to be a better dribbler, he had better touch and he was far, far better on the turn. I would consider that sort of player being inventive on the basis that his overall play led to us being far more dangerous through the middle, with his individual facets greatly improving our style of play.

Everyone rightly says about 10/11, but I would recommend watching a game from him around about 05/06 and seeing the difference in that very same role. Being inventive isn't necessarily about that final ball; it's creativity in every situation.
 
KingEric7 said:
Rooney used to be a better dribbler, he had better touch and he was far, far better on the turn. I would consider that sort of player being inventive on the basis that his overall play led to us being far more dangerous through the middle, with his individual facets greatly improving our style of play.

Everyone rightly says about 10/11, but I would recommend watching a game from him around about 05/06 and seeing the difference in that very same role. Being inventive isn't necessarily about that final ball; it's creativity in every situation.
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Player in 10 years ago was more explosive shocker :lol:. I have said a few times I do wonder how much grief that ankle still gives him.
 
Absolute Fruit Cake said:
It's quite funny about how many posters here rate words above actions!

On one hand we have Ronaldo, who left us to 'chase his dream' and still talks good and so is considered by many as a legend. On the other hand we have Rooney who has stuck with us for 10 years and scored 200 goals, yet still is repulsive and needs to be sold off just for his statements!
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Rooney pretended he was different and talked of wanting to end his career here, how he'd made a huge mistake etc. The fans you're talking about here seem to be on the same wavelength as Fergie.
 
Hernandez - BFA said:
I'm on Rooney's side here. I fail to see why he should be attacked in this scenario.
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He was willing to throw away the opportunity to finish his career as Manchester United's leading goal scorer and to and play for one of our title rivals because he played three or four games in a deeper position. It's pathetic and puts into perspective the media fed bullshit about how Rooney just wants to play.
 
ghaliboy said:
Player in 10 years ago was more explosive shocker :lol:. I have said a few times I do wonder how much grief that ankle still gives him.
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Or player in just 2 years ago being better, more inventive and more consistent shocker.

You can't have a player in that role who is inexpressive and whose touch is all over the place for half the season and not suffer greatly. He has occasionally shown though that he still has the ability and skill required in single games, and he needs to get back to that level of consistency for our style to improve. Either that or our wingers will have to improve enormously because, even when Valencia was one of the best wingers in Europe, we still looked stylistically dull and one-dimensional.
 
A bit of Devils advocate here, but from his point of view I think he feels he has given a lot to the club in terms of goals, performances and being played out of position in games big and small.

He probably looks at the the likes of Messi and Ronaldo and probably (especially) Van Persie and feels that at the age of 28, he should really be getting the same sort of treatment and being allowed to play in his favoured position and be the goal scorer he can be and get the recognition to go with that. It's hard to sympathise with someone that is getting the wage he is getting and we are constantly berating players for being mercenary and not caring about the game. Perhaps Rooney does still love the game and feels that he's been messed around too much and it's time for him to fulfil his personal potential so he doesn't look back on his career and feel a bit fraustrated that he didn't score more, win more personal accolades and be thought of in the Top X players in the world, which he has the talent to be.
 
Absolute Fruit Cake said:
It's quite funny about how many posters here rate words above actions!

On one hand we have Ronaldo, who left us to 'chase his dream' and still talks good and so is considered by many as a legend. On the other hand we have Rooney who has stuck with us for 10 years and scored 200 goals, yet still is repulsive and needs to be sold off just for his statements!
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My feelings exactly! For all his shenanigans, Rooney is still here. I don't have a lot of time for either of them, one saw our club as a stepping stone while the other threw a strop at a time when we were the weakest, but I'd still stay Rooney's been the better servant for the club.
 
Pexbo said:
A bit of Devils advocate here, but from his point of view I think he feels he has given a lot to the club in terms of goals, performances and being played out of position in games big and small.

He probably looks at the the likes of Messi and Ronaldo and probably (especially) Van Persie and feels that at the age of 28, he should really be getting the same sort of treatment and being allowed to play in his favoured position and be the goal scorer he can be and get the recognition to go with that. It's hard to sympathise with someone that is getting the wage he is getting and we are constantly berating players for being mercenary and not caring about the game. Perhaps Rooney does still love the game and feels that he's been messed around too much and it's time for him to fulfil his personal potential so he doesn't look back on his career and feel a bit fraustrated that he didn't score more, win more personal accolades and be thought of in the Top X players in the world, which he has the talent to be.
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Nope. The contract renewal time was drawing near. United, or any other club for that matter, was unlikely to pay him the kind of money he is on currently for a midfield role. He is just looking after his long term financial interests, the next contract is going to be the last major one of his career.
 
KingEric7 said:
You can't have a player in that role who's touch is all over the place for half the season and not suffer greatly. He has occasionally shown though that he still has the ability and skill required in single games though, and he needs to get back to that level consistency for our style to improve. Either that or our wingers will have to improve enormously because, even when Valencia was one of the best wingers in Europe, we still looked stylistically dull and one-dimensional.
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The wingers have been pretty awful to be fair. Plus the amount of serious penetration coming through our midfield on a consistent basis in the last few years also has meant that Rooney has to play deeper and deeper every game to win the ball back. It must also be mentioned that we've been butt-fecked quite regularly on the counter even without Rooney in the side, but I still think it has a huge bearing on our midfield stability and how 'set' our attack can be by the fact that we are constantly having to track further deeper and defend more and more in each game.

It's not a case of late 90's relentless pressure breaking down doors and early/mid 00's Ruud powerhousing opposition on a regular basis.
 
Bestie07 said:
Nope. The contract renewal time was drawing near. United, or any other club for that matter, was unlikely to pay him the kind of money he is on currently for a midfield role. He is just looking after his long term financial interests, the next contract is going to be the last major one of his career.
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Don't talk bollocks.

"Oh sorry Wayne, we've turned you into a midfielder so we can't offer you the Striker's wage you have been on".
 
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