[m1y2]

He couldnt even overrun Van Persie and we know how lazy performance can RVP put on, altho today he evidently looked out of shape with his fitness, still not 100% but well I don't care what everyone thinks here but hes been really poor for 3 years now. some years back he at least seem to be full of legs now he cant produce any sensible piece of movement. Somebody mentioned it above he is just a name. What a problem he could be even in future with his 300k a week and armband. Him and Van Persie it will be our problem in the future. Somebody would say the best player in the squad, well okay but I wouldnt mind playing Welbeck- Januzaj upfront ahead of them. When they are not fully fit or go on half throttle just bench them. We desperatley need movement up front and that is the case of mata as well. Our midfield was really a shite but did they have anyone to pass the ball. Welbeck was by far the better player than them two together who did shit all. But van Gaal is clever so I have no doubt he will asses this problem.. but captain should be someone who is seen and heard on the pitch. Wayne seems to look as shy as Carrick wearing that armband

 

[WyoManU]

Fergie was all set to send Rooney packing...says something...but Moyes gave him a major reprieve and now LVG is talking him up and made him captain. I think his best days are behind him but he also still does have his moments, just not always with consistency. He usually works hard but what happened to his first touch on the ball? He has watched Chich too much...

 

[Red Phoenix Rising]

This is one of the biggest problems with this place. Wayne plays well 'WOW what a footballer, amazing, so proud'. Wayne plays pretty poorly 'finished, terrible, never as good as the bootlaces of the best players in the world, right to want to get rid, hasn't had a great performance in years, potato head'.. Wayne plays well.. 'WOW we are lucky to have him as a footballer. Amazing player, turning it on here he is.' Wayne plays poorly 'Potato head. Always thought he as terrible, awful awful player, finished, hasn't had a great performance in years..'

The fans need to get a grip. Yes he was poor but stop dealing in absolutes, get behind him - he has it in his locker to turn it around.

 

[Bwuk]

Still remain of the opinion that Rooney peaked a while back. Could easily name 10 strikers on less money than him who are better strikers nowadays.

 

[Red Phoenix Rising]

Still remain of the opinion that Rooney peaked a while back. Could easily name 10 strikers on less money than him who are better strikers nowadays.

United's wage structure rewards loyalty. There were four or five imports brought in for nearly double his wage who hadn't even kicked a ball in the league yet. Put it into perspective.

 

[Red Pavan]

This is one of the biggest problems with this place. Wayne plays well 'WOW what a footballer, amazing, so proud'. Wayne plays pretty poorly 'finished, terrible, never as good as the bootlaces of the best players in the world, right to want to get rid, hasn't had a great performance in years, potato head'.. Wayne plays well.. 'WOW we are lucky to have him as a footballer. Amazing player, turning it on here he is.' Wayne plays poorly 'Potato head. Always thought he as terrible, awful awful player, finished, hasn't had a great performance in years..'

The fans need to get a grip. Yes he was poor but stop dealing in absolutes, get behind him - he has it in his locker to turn it around.

I feel like this has been said for too long now. We need to accept that he is a good footballer that gets a decent turn around in assists and goals. He just lacks the quality of the top players around currently and many fans have yet to realise this.

 

[markhrad]

I feel like this has been said for too long now. We need to accept that he is a good footballer that gets a decent turn around in assists and goals. He just lacks the quality of the top players around currently and many fans have yet to realise this.

This is what I have been trying to say since I joined the café. I am not a hater, the reality is that Rooney is not as good as some make him out to be.
I am not saying that he should not play, merely he should be dropped when off form like everyone else and that he is not good enough to be our main man.
Eventually everyone will see the light. I am sure LVG will.

 

[Red Phoenix Rising]

I feel like this has been said for too long now. We need to accept that he is a good footballer that gets a decent turn around in assists and goals. He just lacks the quality of the top players around currently and many fans have yet to realise this.

He'll be top scorer at United in a couple of seasons, if that is what we want to try and claim as a 'good' footballer then it goes a way to explaining why the fans are so bi-polar when it comes to giving credit to Rooney. I am sure when he has a great game somewhere between now and the end of the season the fans will forget all of this and give him the credit he deserves for the performance. Then once again will be back sticking the knife in if that level drops telling us all he's never been a top player etc.

It's tedious and boring. But fair play - I can always just not reply so I will exercise my right to do so and take my leave.

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

Still remain of the opinion that Rooney peaked a while back. Could easily name 10 strikers on less money than him who are better strikers nowadays.

Two of them likely play for us too. Welbeck I thought changed the game with his directness upfront once he came on.

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

He's generally a good finisher and his stats are always pretty good at the end of a season in terms of goals and assists. His all round play though is incredibly average and we get too many games like today where he does absolutely nothing.

We should have got rid last season.

 

[Hannibal]

He was shite.

But so were a lot of others, atleast we know he does have it in him somewhere. Where as others today couldn't get into many championship teams playing like that.

To whom much is given, so much more is expected....If Rooney's wages are £80k/week, I wouldn't even bother about him. However, if he's earning as much as Ronaldo then he should be producing as much as him for Man Utd.

Rooney is finished!

 

[united_99]

Why are we paying a far from world class player a world class (or even above) salary and have we made him captain while his attitude hasnt been good always towards United?

Because as overrated as he might be at times he is still at least 10 times better than some of our other players. So if I was him I would actually demand 10 times more than those players.
A bit of exxagerated statement but I hope you are getting the point. Also believe it or not, he is still the face of the club, especially in a time where the club itself is in transition on and off the pitch.

 

[Joga Bonito]

Disappointing to see him losing that unpredictability element from his game. His gameplay looks fairly straightforward and static nowdays and he really has to step it up.

 

[Red Phoenix Rising]

Why are we paying a far from world class player a world class (or even above) salary and have we made him captain while his attitude hasnt been good always towards United?

Because the club rewards loyalty and pays it's players salaries accordingly. When you join the club you don't join on a gigantic salary and work backwards (unless you're a huge named player). You start small (Rooney as an 18yo) and work your way up and when you've been at the club 10 years and given incredible service on the pitch you are paid accordingly. As I mentioned a few posts above this seems to be lost on a lot of fans these days - seeing huge salaries flying around for imported players they just assume that someone who has given a large amount to a club shouldn't be paid accordingly because they don't think his form warrants it.

Also I said above that some players were being payed almost twice his amount before his salary increase around 2010 (I think?) before they had even kicked a ball in the league. These wages and their effect on our club are in their own ball park in terms of why we pay them. That is, I assume how the club has always operated and especially in the last 20 years.

 

[Jagga7]

He's become so predictable. He gets the ball shifts it to his right foot and then lays it of to Valencia. Fergie knew his best days were behind him and tried to get rid.
He's lost so much of his power, aggression and speed at his peak which made him special. Now he's just a pretty average player with a good finish on him.

 

[elisha27]

I see Rooney managed a grand total of one pass to van Persie, attempted or otherwise, in the entire game. And yet, many would have him as their number 10.

 

[LLMU]

I still think he is one player that needs a run of games to really get in form. The added responsibility of being captain may have take an edge off him which is based on aggression.

 

[Sam]

He wont be United captain by the end of the season.

Mark my words.

 

[RedDevilCanuck]

Get in the Box! And stay there.

 

[markhrad]

I still think he is one player that needs a run of games to really get in form. The added responsibility of being captain may have take an edge off him which is based on aggression.

This is what I mean by people making excuses for him when he plays badly. Rooney had a full pre-season in which, according to some, he performed at an outstanding level. We then went straight into the league and he played the first game. He has had a run of games. Yet RVP who did not have a "run of games" is criticized for being below par today.
Your point about the effect the captaincy has on him is just another excuse.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

Was woeful today, his touch and decision making in particular really letting him down.

I think I may just have to accept that Wayne is just simply a good footballer, capable of brilliance, but also equally, if not more capable of being a bit naff... he's not the great player I perhaps thought he was, but that's okay, because he's just the enigma that is Wayne Rooney.

 

[Sir Matt]

I wanted him gone before last season started and still feel the same. Unfortunately, we're stuck with him since no one else will pay £300k a week because he's not worth it. Even better, he's now our captain and any demotion will create a huge problem in the locker room. United were basically forced to keep him with the retirement of Sir Alex, but it's not going to be a positive in the long-term.

The amount of ego-stroking he gets from everyone in the media is disgusting. Despite never achieving anything with England and failing to produce in tournaments, he'll be England's next captain.

Trying to force him and RVP to play together is a waste of everyone's time. Maybe one day they'll click! Just like Lampard and Gerrard!

 

[204Red]

I can't remember the last time his performances on the pitch actually excited me. He's currently just a name, among others in the team. A name that isn't anywhere close living up to past glory.

or the amount he is being paid

 

[ZDwyr]

He definitely has lost some of that x-factor and spark the he used to have. He can still put in good performances though, it's just the difference between his best and worst is huge. I don't know what happens when Di Maria comes in. You can't really bench your captain, but I can't see LvG doing it to RvP either.

 

[NinjaZombie]

This is one of the biggest problems with this place. Wayne plays well 'WOW what a footballer, amazing, so proud'. Wayne plays pretty poorly 'finished, terrible, never as good as the bootlaces of the best players in the world, right to want to get rid, hasn't had a great performance in years, potato head'.. Wayne plays well.. 'WOW we are lucky to have him as a footballer. Amazing player, turning it on here he is.' Wayne plays poorly 'Potato head. Always thought he as terrible, awful awful player, finished, hasn't had a great performance in years..'

The fans need to get a grip. Yes he was poor but stop dealing in absolutes, get behind him - he has it in his locker to turn it around.

You do realise that its different groups of people who are saying these things?

I've always said, he can have his good games, but those are few and far between, and when he has a bad game, it's often very terrible performances unfitting a player of his reputation. He will come up with goals and assists, but these often hide his ineffective and poor all round general play, like last week against Swansea.

This might be harsh but I don't think he has it in his locker to turn it around. Not to the extent of justifying his captaincy or his wages and reputation, at least. He's lost his pace, and he's not exactly lived the most professional life.

Still a very good player though, but I just don't think he is of the sort of quality where a club like Manchester United have to accommodate to every single one of his whims, like Ronaldo was for us (and for Real) and Suarez was for Liverpool, for example. The captaincy issue irks me, because he is not exactly the most consistent of players, but I think that just reflects on the dire quality of the current squad to be honest. I can name at least 6 players in the old United Treble team who would be better captains that Wayne Rooney.

 

[Nighteyes]

He was a bit shite but he suffers as much from a lack of pace throughout the side as Mata or RVP do. Of course this gets lost in the torrent of Rooney abuse. When he gets the ball, he has a big massive wall in front of him because our build up play is stupidly slow. You can do feck all in that scenario other than lay the ball out wide. Mata was no better in that regard.

 

[VP]

This is one of the biggest problems with this place. Wayne plays well 'WOW what a footballer, amazing, so proud'. Wayne plays pretty poorly 'finished, terrible, never as good as the bootlaces of the best players in the world, right to want to get rid, hasn't had a great performance in years, potato head'.. Wayne plays well.. 'WOW we are lucky to have him as a footballer. Amazing player, turning it on here he is.' Wayne plays poorly 'Potato head. Always thought he as terrible, awful awful player, finished, hasn't had a great performance in years..'

The fans need to get a grip. Yes he was poor but stop dealing in absolutes, get behind him - he has it in his locker to turn it around.

Rooney brings this type criticism on himself. When he's good he's really good but when's shite he's really shite - I've never seen a player with such a big difference between his peak and his trough.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

He wont be United captain by the end of the season.

Mark my words.

If he doesn't improve there is no way LVG will leave him as captain. You wanted the captaincy Wayne so start acting like one. There is more to it than walking out first and tossing a coin.

 

[Sarni]

He's so inconsistent it's unbelievable and his bottom level is absolutely ridiculous. Van Persie is a better forward than him and Mata is a better #10 than him but we absolutely must play Rooney in every single game. I think the best part of Ferguson staying beyond 2013 would have been dealing with Rooney better than Moyes and van Gaal, he was never terrified of benching him.

 

[Bobcat]

The fans need to get a grip. Yes he was poor but stop dealing in absolutes, get behind him - he has it in his locker to turn it around.

Honestly, i don't think he has. "Yonger Rooney" relied on his immense physique to get ahead og the pack, and we all know what he could be capable off back then. Now hes lost that edge it seems, and we are left with a very expensive striker, how is neither fast, tall, strong nor technically gifted. On top of that, hes been belligerent and threatened to leave twice now.

I thank him for all hes done for the club, but imo he is well past his peak, and we would have done well to ship him off to Maureen two years ago.

 

[ZDwyr]

He's so inconsistent it's unbelievable and his bottom level is absolutely ridiculous. Van Persie is a better forward than him and Mata is a better #10 than him but we absolutely must play Rooney in every single game. I think the best part of Ferguson staying beyond 2013 would have been dealing with Rooney better than Moyes and van Gaal, he was never terrified of benching him.

If Ferguson had stayed then Rooney would be gone I would think.

 

[Sarni]

If Ferguson had stayed then Rooney would be gone I would think.

Yes and I'll probably be murdered for saying that on here but it could have been for the best. He's holding us back right now.

 

[ZDwyr]

Yes and I'll probably be murdered for saying that on here but it could have been for the best. He's holding us back right now.

It probably would have been for the best. Some will definitely agree with you. In my opinion he and RvP definitely pose a problem for us. To be honest I'm getting close to wanting one of them gone, or at least benched. Can't see it happening though. We are placing reputation/wages/egos ahead of team balance, and we are suffering.

 

[Red Phoenix Rising]

Rooney brings this type criticism on himself. When he's good he's really good but when's shite he's really shite - I've never seen a player with such a big difference between his peak and his trough.

'He brings it on himself', priceless.

 

[Sarni]

It probably would have been for the best. Some will definitely agree with you. In my opinion he and RvP definitely pose a problem for us. To be honest I'm getting close to wanting one of them gone, or at least benched. Can't see it happening though. We are placing reputation/wages/egos ahead of team balance, and we are suffering.

Well signing van Persie if we were to keep Rooney was also pointless. I used to think we could play them together but we chances are we can't. It might be the case of one or the other.

 

[ZDwyr]

Well signing van Persie if we were to keep Rooney was also pointless. I used to think we could play them together but we chances are we can't. It might be the case of one or the other.

I think the plan looked like it was going to be RvP with Kagawa behind him - at least for a season or two while Welbeck continued to develop. Right now I think it has to be Welbeck + 1. We are too static otherwise.

 

[Bojan11]

He's like Ruud. He'd score goals a lot, but he slows down our build up play.

We should have got rid.

 

[Escobar]

He used to be a game changer or at least had the ability to lift the team up. But that was years ago unfortunately.

 

[Kevin]

United's wage structure rewards loyalty.

Does that include asking to leave and publicly claiming Manchester United doesn't match his ambitions? Or maybe angling for a move to Chelsea 2 seasons later?

Don't be obnoxious. Call him world class (I disagree), or say he has been rewarded for not banging a grandma in the past 10 years he has been with United, but please. Loyal and Rooney in one sentence?

 

[VP]

'He brings it on himself', priceless.

Are you happy with his consistency?