I don't think people appreciate how tricky the Rooney problem is. Let's take in context Mourinho's last season, a disaster, new club, new players & bigger club with even more media attention, he'll be stupid to just come in, and drop the most influential player we have had in a long time, there's more to football than picking & dropping players. Mourinho has to build a reasonable amount of credit with the players, fans and the top guys running the club, he needs to be very sure he has the backing of the majority, if his last season ended in a title victory or CL victory, that would have been easier, instead, it was a disaster, he has to do that groundwork first. It's part of what being a modern day manager is all about. He faced similar situation at Real Madrid, dropped Casillas & that kind of backfired at the time, at United, it's very reasonable for him to approach such big decision with caution.
10
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 39
- Goals
- 8
- Assists
- 10
- Yellow cards
- 8
- Status
More specifically, I've the feeling that if push came to shove, the club would rather keep Rooney than they would Mourinho. My feeling isn't just about the (supposed) commercial power Rooney represents for United; it's just that I've always worried about the level of support Mourinho has from those in authority at United.
That is not true. He was moved to the right wing because in the second half we went to a 433, and Jose specifically said he wouldn't play Rooney in centre mid.
Are people really serious with these calls for him to play on the wing?
Instead of s simple pass to Pogba and City are in trouble, he wants to go long. De Bruyne cuts that pass out, City reload and we go one goal down less than a minute later.
Its these moments and decisions that I simply cannot take. An Ozil/Silva/De Bruyne wouldn't make this mistake.
Rooney isn't going anywhere any time soon. He came up with a match winning assist against Hull and had a respectful performance yesterday.
I get why people want him out and for the most part i definitely agree. However, there is something about Rooney that makes him valuable right now for Mourinho. He's got a knack of coming up with a defining moment even when he's playing dogshit. And when our backs are against the walls, he brings bite and solidity. He can win his battles physically.
The issue is that if you look at the alternatives to Rooney, they are all flaky and can be bullied too easily. If we had a different manager then they may not value these aspects as highly, but Mourinho likes powerful, physical and passionate players. I think Rooney ticks all those boxes to a certain extent.
If Rooneys output dries up for a long period and another player really stakes a claim, he may then be dropped. Right now, thise are both a million miles away. Mata is Mata, technically good but a bit here nor there. And Mkhitaryan just fell to bits yesterday.
Basically, theres a long way to go and a lot of circumstances that need to change considerably before Rooney is under threat.
I get why people want him out and for the most part i definitely agree. However, there is something about Rooney that makes him valuable right now for Mourinho. He's got a knack of coming up with a defining moment even when he's playing dogshit. And when our backs are against the walls, he brings bite and solidity. He can win his battles physically.
The issue is that if you look at the alternatives to Rooney, they are all flaky and can be bullied too easily. If we had a different manager then they may not value these aspects as highly, but Mourinho likes powerful, physical and passionate players. I think Rooney ticks all those boxes to a certain extent.
If Rooneys output dries up for a long period and another player really stakes a claim, he may then be dropped. Right now, thise are both a million miles away. Mata is Mata, technically good but a bit here nor there. And Mkhitaryan just fell to bits yesterday.
Basically, theres a long way to go and a lot of circumstances that need to change considerably before Rooney is under threat.
He's been pulling out of dangerous situations for quite some time now; if anything, he's been all too friendly with opponents. Yesterday was an exception, but then, you'd expect that in such a high-profile match...especially when his standing in the game has drawn criticism.
Further, there's a reason why underwhelming players like him, Fellaini and company have done quite well since Mourinho came to United: whether you believe their improvement is due to José's immediate impact, or because of laudable effort from those players is up to you; on the other hand, it just so happens that those players' United futures were perceived to be under threat...and they aren't likely to find better clubs and deals, are they?
Exactly. The annoying thing was the pass was actually on, but he took so long to get his head up, swing his leg and execute it de bruyne read it and cut it out. It just sums up why I don't want Rooney in the team.
Instead of s simple pass to Pogba and City are in trouble, he wants to go long. De Bruyne cuts that pass out, City reload and we go one goal down less than a minute later.
Its these moments and decisions that I simply cannot take. An Ozil/Silva/De Bruyne wouldn't make this mistake.
Our wingers let us down so it's the new place he can be pushed to.
Striker: Nope.
#10: Not working.
Attacking Midfield: Nope.
Defensive Midfield: Nope.
Winger: Sure, he hasn't had a chance to fail there yet so it must be the answer.
Instead of s simple pass to Pogba and City are in trouble, he wants to go long. De Bruyne cuts that pass out, City reload and we go one goal down less than a minute later.
Its these moments and decisions that I simply cannot take. An Ozil/Silva/De Bruyne wouldn't make this mistake.
Talking about this last night.
It wasn't just yesterday, it's a continuous fecking thing with him. I can't remember who it was last season but, they man marked our two wide men and they mopped up anytime he floated it out to the wings. He literally had nothing else to offer then.
That's basically every game last season. Double up on Valencia and Mata and complain when neither of them create anything.
Half the reason Martial had space to create last year was because it was a shock when the ball was switched to the left.
He's playing at a position which makes him the central hub of our play; everything goes through him. But he's not competent enough anymore. When his game is poor, the team suffers.
Seeing that most of our attackers are yet to find form and that Rooney still offers something different, he should start wide. Add another midfield to provide freedom to Pogba.
Seeing that most of our attackers are yet to find form and that Rooney still offers something different, he should start wide. Add another midfield to provide freedom to Pogba.
If he must play id rather sacrifice one wing then the number 10 position.
De Gea's place will soon be under threat at this rate.
fecking hell, where else is next? Sweeper?
fecking hell, where else is next? Sweeper?
The main thing for me now is that opposition fans don't fear him but laugh at him, and that's all you need to know.
Rashford on the other hand, people are wary of him.
Rashford on the other hand, people are wary of him.
So we're now talking about sacrificing another player for Rooney again?
There should be no "if he must play". His performances don't justify that statement.
I thought he was decent yesterday. But if he can't nail down a position(No. 10) then he should be dropped.
If we move to 433 and Mourinho has said he isn't a midfielder then hat should be Rooney's loss. We should stop this sacrifice.
Rooney has one position. He needs to sink or swim.
Its incredible you quote a post, and not read it. We created our 3 best chances before Rashford came on? At the end of the first half, before the penalty decisions we could have gone into half time with at least a draw, we didnt take our chances.
I was at old trafford and the biggest moans came from mickey giving the ball away and fellaini.
The rooney chant went around the stadium at least 5 times, thats not a player that the crowd dont want playing.
I was there when Giggs used to get heckled at the start of his 30's, there wasnt any Giggs chants back then as most didnt want him playing. Berbatov was the same, warming up he got heckled (i know it was right in front of me).
There are numerous others but ive made my point. If 99% of old trafford wanted rooney out of the picture they wouldnt have chanted his name. Id go out on a limb and say he was tthe most chanted player following Zlatan, i didnt count but can remember at least 4/5 rooney chants.
I dont go to the game to look at ways to defend rooney but the modern united fan (if you have ever been) on this forum love to criticise players disregarding performances.
Valencia to me was what Rooney is for you. He started being productive and im happy to see him in the startjng line up because he has stopped malfunctioning.
If you cant look at a performance or any positives, then you may as well go and play fifa and keep rooney dropped.
Rooney was productive this weekend, Rooney created chances this weekend, rooney was a threat from 35 mins onwards (before rash came on).
Lets discuss performances not irrational hatred, againdt hull he was moved to the left and created a goal, against City he was moved to the right and created clear cut chances and delivered the ball in for the keeper to parry to zlatan.
If we have players in the squad that can do that then lets have them, he is told to play somewhere and he is performing, dont hate the player, hate the game.
Of course he should be dropped but reality is he probably wont be so you have to pick and choose the lesser evil.
I was thinking the same thing!
Neville and company will soon start saying play him as a CB. When that doesn't work - De Gea is shit, Rooney could do a job there. And around and around we go. Let's hope Mourinho can rack up a decent season or else he'll be the next manager leaving before Rooney.
Mourinho's words about Rooney being a goalscorer who has to be close to goal are looking more and more ridiculous as he continually drops deeper on his own and gets put on either wing by Mourinho.
Mourinho must love Rooney with all this talk of bypassing the first station pass.
Even when he do pop up with a goal or an assist, like he did vs Bournemouth and Hull, I'd argue his performance is detrimental to the team over 90 minutes.
When he's not even doing that, he's useless.
When he's not even doing that, he's useless.
get over yourself, you were the only one at the game it seems and its a big Rooney love in is it? I sit in the middle of the Stretford End with people who are fed up of him and have been for a long time. Just because they chant his name doesn't mean its all gravy
I'm not not a regular but when I go, I chant his name also. Always did and always will as long as he plays for us. And I still want him gone. Don't know if I'm in the minority in this regard. But I know a lot of regulars that want him out as well.
It also sums up why he is in the team. The whole first station pass thing, Pogba would be first station pass.
Ah damn you've brought andy tate to the party, everyone else must be wrong.
Sitting in the middle of the stretford end singing rooney chants, hypocrisy at its finest.
The difference between me and you is that when rooney is detrimental to the team based on his performance, ill criticise him and expect changes. When he is one of our attacking threats creating chances, i dont want him beint dropped.
Thankfully Mourinho agrees with me, where andy tate agrees with you. See that.
well someone clearly is. Maybe my block is the 1% you speak of
This. If I'm at the game I'll yell 'Rooney! Rooney!' like everyone else. Doesn't mean I'm blind to how much of a spent force he is and how difficult it is to see us being a top team with him as a starter.
Mourinho > andy tate.well someone clearly is. Maybe my block is the 1% you speak of
I wonder how this place would have faired had rooney put in a zlatan performance. 1 goal, 3 sitters he would have been crucified.
On the left. He'll put in a masterclass that will have Georgie Best looking down in awe.
Definitely think this is the season we finally see Rooney regularly dropped. I thought he was half decent yesterday but we need to find a way to fit Rashford in ideally. We were much better with a 4-3-3, should keep that going.
Well past his best - an impact role for 20/30 mins might allow him make a contribution to team performances - unlikely to be a first team regular next season...
Maybe we should stop chanting his name then? Might give the powers that be an idea that things aren't all rosy? I dunno
Yup, i was thinking of exactly this moment in the match too. He's making players around him look worse by making these decisions. Pogba seems wary of stepping into 'Wayne's areas'
Instead of s simple pass to Pogba and City are in trouble, he wants to go long. De Bruyne cuts that pass out, City reload and we go one goal down less than a minute later.
Its these moments and decisions that I simply cannot take. An Ozil/Silva/De Bruyne wouldn't make this mistake.
"I've known for a few years. I have played there a few times throughout my career and I can play that position.
"I have played and watched Ryan Giggs play that role for years and I always knew that one day that is where I would play, so I have tried to learn and watch what he did.
"It is still early days, but hopefully, if I keep playing there, I can develop and get better."
...
No that's nothing to do with what mourinho was saying.
He said he instructed the Cbs not to pass into pogba or fellainis feet, but rather to go long and win the knock downs, or go wide.
Rooney making an easy 8 yard pass to somebody wide open certainly doesn't fit that category.
And whoever says Rooney is like beckham needs to seriously rethink football, never heard something so stupid in all my life
It will take a malnourished child less time to crank up a medieval drawbridge!
No that's nothing to do with what mourinho was saying.
He said he instructed the Cbs not to pass into pogba or fellainis feet, but rather to go long and win the knock downs, or go wide.
Rooney making an easy 8 yard pass to somebody wide open certainly doesn't fit that category.
And whoever says Rooney is like beckham needs to seriously rethink football, never heard something so stupid in all my life
Yeah that's an absurd statement, long pass accuracy and crossing wise beckham was a freak, haven't seen delivery like that on another player since.
99% of match goers want him to play?! Thats almost as funny as comparing him to Beckham on the wing ffs.
While I do think he played better than most yesterday this one really annoyed me. If he just passed to Pogba, Pogba could put Ibra through and we're a goal up- could have changed the entire game.
Instead of s simple pass to Pogba and City are in trouble, he wants to go long. De Bruyne cuts that pass out, City reload and we go one goal down less than a minute later.
Its these moments and decisions that I simply cannot take. An Ozil/Silva/De Bruyne wouldn't make this mistake.
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