[lem8sh]

Which is all we can ask for realistically. Its not like he's going to suddenly become Rooney circa 2010 again.

Agreed.

 

[Sam]

Scored a goal so which will inevitably cover over his performance...(Was a well taken finish mind)

But he was utter utter garbage. He's just so bad its laughable. The amount of moves that broke down with him was just ridiculous. Team would pass it around nicely, keeping possession, it get stop Rooney and bang, the move would break down. Offers no physical presence up front, no hold up play, no pace, poor link up play. If anyone thought that was a good performance, then they're living in a life of complete delusion quite frankly. He stood out today like a sore thumb, in a team keeping good possession and looking very comfortable on the ball.

Had to be handed his goal on a plate, which is pretty much the only way he scores thesedays.

 

[Sylar]

Really good finish for his goal, did Howard.
Could and should have had another goal or two (although one he did set up martial for it).

Other than that, whilst is performance can be described as better, it certainly wasnt good.

If hes just being judged on goals, fair enough, but ultimately he needs to do much much better otherwise we may as well just sign a goal scorer who offers nothing else and it will suit us better if thats the case.

 

[Yorkeontop]

Scored a goal so which will inevitably cover over his performance...(Was a well taken finish mind)

But he was utter utter garbage. He's just so bad its laughable. The amount of moves that broke down with him was just ridiculous. Team would pass it around nicely, keeping possession, it get stop Rooney and bang, the move would break down. Offers no physical presence up front, no hold up play, no pace, poor link up play. If anyone thought that was a good performance, then they're living in a life of complete delusion quite frankly. He stood out today like a sore thumb, in a team keeping good possession and looking very comfortable on the ball.

Had to be handed his goal on a plate, which is pretty much the only way he scores thesedays.

Really good finish for his goal, did Howard.
Could and should have had another goal or two (although one he did set up martial for it).

Other than that, whilst is performance can be described as better, it certainly wasnt good.

If hes just being judged on goals, fair enough, but ultimately he needs to do much much better otherwise we may as well just sign a goal scorer who offers nothing else and it will suit us better if thats the case.

He's a sad sight Wayne. And this is who he is now days. Some will say he's out of form but I don't think that's the case.

 

[Mrs Smoker]

Utter utter garbage?

Woah, thread, you still deliver.

 

[Kag]

Today was an improvement, but it wasn't great either.

His first half bordered on woeful, and while the second was better (with a great finish to boot), watching a 33 year old Phil Jagielka catch up with him on the counter was a sad sight.

 

[Sam]

Utter utter garbage?

Woah, thread, you still deliver.

He was shite. A goal handed to him on a plate doesn't change that.

The difference between Marcial's performances upfront, and Rooney's today, is night and day. And its that level that the kid has shown that we should be expecting, not just lowering our standards because its Wayne Rooney. He's not good enough anymore. Simple as that.

 

[Rozay]

If he can consistently deliver 6/10 performances like that, with a goal here and there, I'd take that, given he has to play.

It doesn't feel right saying he had a good game, or he played welltoday, because I still remember what Wayne Rooney playwell actually looks like, and it is levels above what he showed today.

That said, in the context of him not being that good anymore, today was a good performance, at least in the second half, and came on the back of a good (again, relatively ) se on half against Arsenal, so I am starting to feel more optimistic that he can consistently reach a level where he is useful to the team.

I never expected, or believed he was capable of getting these 20+ league goals he promised this season, but I'd take 12 and an average performance level of his second half.

 

[Ayush_reddevil]

1 goal away from Dennis law now, 14 needed for the record.

 

[marjen]

The way Jagielka caught up with him when he was through.. If that had been Martial it would've been a certain goal.

 

[Sam]

The way Jagielka caught up with him when he was through.. If that had been Martial it would've been a certain goal.

He runs like he's in treacle these days. He was nearly caught for the goal too.

He has touch of the Falcao's about him.

 

[Mrs Smoker]

Jagielka IS officially the fastest player in the Premier League. Just in front of Richie de Laet, that speed machine.

 

[DeafMUFC]

Very poor again, the goal doesn't paper over any cracks IMO, we are literally carrying him week in week out.

Every single time the ball is played into him you feel he is going to give it away. Every pass he receives, on the floor, back to goal, on the angle he gives it away nearly every time. They are absolute basic basic mistakes.

When Martial put him in (great ball too) the lack of pace & poor execution when finishing looked like a player who was literally in his late 30's & ready to hang them up.

I hope somehow he can find a bit of form, we potentially have the foundation of a quality team and we cannot carry misfiring players especially ones on £300K a week!

 

[Sam]

Very poor again, the goal doesn't paper over any cracks IMO, we are literally carrying him week in week out.

Every single time the ball is played into him you feel he is going to give it away. Every pass he receives, on the floor, back to goal, on the angle he gives it away nearly every time. They are absolute basic basic mistakes.

When Martial put him in (great ball too) the lack of pace & poor execution when finishing looked like a player who was literally in his late 30's & ready to hang them up.

I hope somehow he can find a bit of form, we potentially have the foundation of a quality team and we cannot carry misfiring players especially ones on £300K a week!

100% spot on. Every single word of it.

 

[Amar__]

I'v criticised him many times this season in various threads, I can recognise when he's made a good contribution to a game though. Not outstanding but his performance, for once in recent months, actually justified his selection. You haven't even seen the game, surely you should be happy about this?

Judging by how much you defend him today one would think he had a perfect game. But anyway, I'll judge it when I see the whole game, but from what I have read here, I won't be too excited about his performance.

I am always happy when Manchester United player does well. Even if I don't like him, he obviously has to play even when he is worst player on the pitch, so for the team I hope that he improves otherwise we are fecked.

 

[Dion]

I mean his control was excellent for Herrera's goal for a start, but that would be giving him credit for something.

He was a 6/10 today, not awful but not great.

 

[RRCE]

Rooney was fine today - no better, no worse. He played an important part in the lead up to Schneiderlin's goal and scored one of his own. It's undeniable that he contributed to the result. I do think that he's a respected leader in the team as well (I doubt any within the squad take issue with Rooney's captaincy).

That said, it's becoming patently obvious that his best days are behind him. He just doesn't have the pace, power or explosiveness that defined his play in his prime. That's not surprising, given his advancing age and the number of miles on his legs - from a young age, he's played a lot of football for club and country. He never did have a world class first touch or short passing ability, but both of those appear to have declined as well. He no longer has the ability to overcome technical shortcomings (which I don't mean to sound overly harsh, as he was hardly poor technically in his prime) with physical attributes. In my opinion, all of this has also clearly dented his confidence. It seems as though he doesn't trust that he can bury the chances that come his way. Top strikers make even half chances look easy somehow. He's lost some swagger. While he's still respected by opponents, he's not feared.

Rooney needs to be replaced. A top striker is required, even with Martial in the team. Rooney can still play a valuable role as a respected elder statesman, but he shouldn't be our main striker next season. This is, in part, why I think RVP was sold. He and Rooney are at very similar points in their careers. Given that Rooney is English and (arguably) a club legend, he was the correct player to keep. He has more to offer in terms of teaching young players about the Manchester United way.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

I thought he was good. I have been calling for him to go up front with Martial wide for a few weeks now, so it was pleasing to see. Of course he wasn't the Rooney that we want but people are looking for anything to criticise him on. Was over the moon to see him score.

 

[Sky1981]

A no.9 losing the ball a few times, who'd have thunk it eh?

Under no pressure. He lost possession more than the whole time team combined.

But yeah, rooney can do no wrong for u

 

[Devil may care]

I thought he was good. I have been calling for him to go up front with Martial wide for a few weeks now, so it was pleasing to see. Of course he wasn't the Rooney that we want but people are looking for anything to criticise him on. Was over the moon to see him score.

I don't think people are looking to criticize him, it's that his level has become so low that some are praising him for the basics most forwards at PL level should be able to do. The fact is he's done as an elite forward and holding this team's potential back with his automatic starting role no matter how he plays.

 

[ZDwyr]

I thought it was a mixed-bag. That's probably promising though considering he has been just plain awful in other matches.

 

[suheilsworld]

I think that goal was a huge confidence boost for him. Was poor for quite some parts of the game but made some intelligent runs and was quite a threat. He needs goals and I think that confidence and passing will be back.

 

[Freak]

He didn't look like himself in the post match interview. Looks like he's devoid of confidence.

 

[Sereques]

A no.9 losing the ball a few times, who'd have thunk it eh?

If he loses the ball through tackle, that is a different story. Rooney loses the ball by been unable to complete a pass. That is criminal at this level. Anyway, if he plays as #9 against city, we will be punished. He will pass to Toure and Toure will run at our goal.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

I don't think people are looking to criticize him, it's that his level has become so low that some are praising him for the basics most forwards at PL level should be able to do. The fact is he's done as an elite forward and holding this team's potential back with his automatic starting role no matter how he plays.

At the moment, I have no doubt people want to see him perform badly to strengthen their argument. I don't mean they actually want him to play bad and just totally screw things up for him and the team but people jump on every touch of his and point to it as a fact that he is past it, over paid, no good etc.

As you say, the future is without Rooney, so a good performance by Rooney would rightfully see him selected the next game (not the captain privilege debate) on merit. But because people want to see the future, Herrera, Martial, Pereira etc, I think many want to see Rooney not perform at his best.

 

[The Azzurri]

The way Jagielka caught up with him when he was through.. If that had been Martial it would've been a certain goal.

Realised his pace had been shot recently...

 

[K2K]

What a terrible picture..they could have used another one surely.

 

[Devil may care]

At the moment, I have no doubt people want to see him perform badly to strengthen their argument. I don't mean they actually want him to play bad and just totally screw things up for him and the team but people jump on every touch of his and point to it as a fact that he is past it, over paid, no good etc.

As you say, the future is without Rooney, so a good performance by Rooney would rightfully see him selected the next game (not the captain privilege debate) on merit. But because people want to see the future, Herrera, Martial, Pereira etc, I think many want to see Rooney not perform at his best.

He's been awful all season and the performance yesterday wasn't anything special so it's not a huge surprise that many are still tired of his untouchable place in the team. Looking at it he still looks lacking any mobility and running and still gave the ball away cheaply numerous times against Everton, the goal doesn't gloss over that and I do think most simply see that we need to move on without him or we will just tread water.

 

[Adisa]

He didn't look like himself in the post match interview. Looks like he's devoid of confidence.

I genuinely think he himself is baffled with how bad he has been. And I think he's worried if he's in decline like any normal person would.

 

[itso 7]

At the moment, I have no doubt people want to see him perform badly to strengthen their argument. I don't mean they actually want him to play bad and just totally screw things up for him and the team but people jump on every touch of his and point to it as a fact that he is past it, over paid, no good etc.

As you say, the future is without Rooney, so a good performance by Rooney would rightfully see him selected the next game (not the captain privilege debate) on merit. But because people want to see the future, Herrera, Martial, Pereira etc, I think many want to see Rooney not perform at his best.

No his performances sealed the argument weeks ago, the fact is that he has regressed and consequently his selection should reflect that - he has to earn his starting bearth just like any other player because he is no longer good enough to mask the technical deficiencies that ruin our build up play nor are his team mates good enough to carry him. Treating him like a prime Rooney is only hurting the team.

Fwiw I believe a bit of complacency had crept in but yesterday he was genuinely trying and he got just reward with a goal and some good bits of play. Hopefully he gains more confidence from that performance, which overally was good, and raise his standard from the junk he'd served up till yesterday.

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

Hopefully he'll hang up his boots at the end of the season, before he ruins his legacy any further. I think that the boxing analogy is quite appropriate - you always see these great boxers who keep fighting again and again even though they are shot. Wayne is fast becoming another Steven Gerrard where he is holding the team back because it's so difficult for the manager not to play him.

 

[clarkydaz]

and again today on Sunday supplement one of the guys is completely baffled by the supposed question marks over Wayne Rooney, and its simply down to him not scoring goals as he selflessly contributes so much to the team

 

[NessunDorma]

and again today on Sunday supplement one of the guys is completely baffled by the supposed question marks over Wayne Rooney, and its simply down to him not scoring goals as he selflessly contributes so much to the team

He's still scored more than Costa and Kane combined, and only 2 less than Aguero (who got 5 of his in one game).

His all around play has looked insipid at times, but his scoring rate isn't actually that bad.

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

and again today on Sunday supplement one of the guys is completely baffled by the supposed question marks over Wayne Rooney, and its simply down to him not scoring goals as he selflessly contributes so much to the team

It's baffling how anyone could come to that conclusion.

How can anyone be shocked at the criticism Rooney has received this season? He's been woeful

 

[clarkydaz]

It's baffling how anyone could come to that conclusion.

How can anyone be shocked at the criticism Rooney has received this season? He's been woeful

it underlines how clueless and ignorant some of them actually are at their job, for people supposedly having their finger on the pulse

 

[Jazz]

It's baffling how anyone could come to that conclusion.

How can anyone be shocked at the criticism Rooney has received this season? He's been woeful

This is the sort of thing that won't help Rooney. Arse-licking is dangerous. Glad he scored yesterday and showed some effort - but overall the same old problems are still there and imho they won't be going away. Hope that doesn't cost the team...

All I know is Rooney is a very lucky boy - has the manager seemingly in his pocket, and magnificent team mates who outwardly at least, seem to support him even if it means (1) one of them needs to be sacrificed so he always gets to play (2) putting up with him messing up their attacks (3) getting special treatment whilst everyone else's arse is subbed/benched if they make mistakes.

 

[Black Adder]

He wasn't brilliant, but wasn't so bad as some are trying to portrate him. He played well in patches, was good for about 20min, then went to being bad, then started to play good again after half-time.

Still he managed to participate in build-up to first goal, set up chance on which Martial didn't capitalise and scored one goal himself, not bad input IMO.

 

[Joga Bonito]

Made a couple of nice runs and was decent in patches but absolutely abysmal during that patch in the latter stages of the first half, repeatedly giving away the ball and breaking down our moves. Hopefully, the goal gives him something to build on from here.

 

[Sparky_Hughes]

Hopefully he'll hang up his boots at the end of the season, before he ruins his legacy any further. I think that the boxing analogy is quite appropriate - you always see these great boxers who keep fighting again and again even though they are shot. Wayne is fast becoming another Steven Gerrard where he is holding the team back because it's so difficult for the manager not to play him.

It's a scouse thing, as a breed they are incapable of not living in the past

 

[SteveJ]

Wayne Rooney hit back at critics who have questioned his scoring record after grabbing his first away league goal in 11 months to help Manchester United to a 3-0 win at Everton. Rooney, England's record goalscorer but struggling in the Premier League this season, scored United's third goal on his return to Goodison Park. And when asked whether he considered his drought to be over, Rooney snapped: 'It depends what the press thinks, they call it what they like. What matters is what my manager and team-mates think.'

Rooney's last away league goal was way back on November 22, in a 2-1 win at Arsenal, and his performances this season have been questioned. 'Criticism does nothing at all,' he said. 'I'm a strong man, I've had it throughout my career. I just have to keep working hard and try to help the team be successful.'

Rooney's goal, his first at former club Everton since 2007, took his Premier League tally to 187, level with Andy Cole and behind only Alan Shearer in the all-time list.

United manager Louis van Gaal said: 'You always doubt him. You always say that he can't score. I am very happy for him. For me it's not important if he scores. He has to be an attacking point and do his job in our defensive organisation also. But when he scores I'm happy and maybe this is a start of many goals for him. He needed this goal today.'

(Daily Mail)