[Burrow]

As I said in the post match-thread; Our right side was a highway through our defense for the last 15 minutes. I dont know if he ignored his role, or was unable to fulfill it but the way they so easily played through was down to the sub.

 

[sammsky1]

He should had come in after 60mins for Zlatan.. 245 goals sitting on the bench without support and confidence and yet when our only striker is having a stinker, Rooney doesn't get a real chance.. I'm counting on Jose co. to correct this ASAP..

Agree with this as ibra was ineffective tonight and Rooney may have changed things

 

[Silverman]

Did Mourinho affectively say that he put Rooney on for Rashford to make sure we didn't lose the game when Rashford was struggling with cramp? Not a good sign for Rooney if so.

 

[Devil may care]

Did Mourinho affectively say that he put Rooney on for Rashford to make sure we didn't lose the game when Rashford was struggling with cramp? Not a good sign for Rooney if so.

Pretty much, he said he was gonna move Rashford central to try and win the game but he had cramp, so he decided it was best to just make sure we didn't lose it, this is obviously where Rooney came on, so it's pretty telling that he didn't send Rooney on with the notion that he could win us the game.

 

[Carlsen19]

Agree with this as ibra was ineffective tonight and Rooney may have changed things

What could he have possibly done to change things? He's done nothing for years. He's slow, lazy, his touch is appalling, his passing is shite. Ibra was shite, granted, but come on.

 

[Hed Zitin]

We needed pace to try and counter attack and on came Rooney..

 

[Sandikan]

Yesterday was definitely a new low for Rooney.

Basically used as a defensive sub to clog up their left side after Rashford had grown weary.

It's 100% his last season here.

Guy at work, a Stoke fan was chatting about him today and just said , "what is he, 33 now?"

When I pointed out he's still 30, he seemed shocked.

 

[ThomasEmil]

If we combined all the Rooney threads, this would far surpass the Pogba transfer thread.

 

[Pexbo]

We needed pace to try and counter attack and on came Rooney..

Jose misunderstood what he was saying when he said he should be back to his best as he's got a great pacemaker now.

 

[Cheesy]

It's good we've dropped him, but I really don't see what he offers as a sub. He's not got the pace to come on and capitalise on tired opposition, and he's generally not been incisive enough in providing moments of quality late into the game all that often either. I'd argue there's some merit in putting him on against a side we're winning and in control against, since he's solid enough with the ball when he's given time to think and decide what he wants to do with it, but as an impact sub he's a bit of a waste.

 

[dichinero]

It's sad really but everytime I get upset about Rooney, I'm thankful there's a Herrera and Evra thread to cheer me up!

 

[Adebesi]

He should had come in after 60mins for Zlatan.. 245 goals sitting on the bench without support and confidence and yet when our only striker is having a stinker, Rooney doesn't get a real chance.. I'm counting on Jose co. to correct this ASAP..

Also agree with this. Maybe it would have worked, maybe it wouldnt, but he should be given the chance to show us one way or the other, given Mourinho has said Rooney is a goal scorer and that he sees him as a number 9 (or a 10 of course). Given their ages, Ibra and Rooney sharing this responsibility to some extent makes sense, if it doesnt work out because Rooney offers nothing when he comes on he is a step closer to leaving in the summer.

 

[Borden]

Also agree with this. Maybe it would have worked, maybe it wouldnt, but he should be given the chance to show us one way or the other, given Mourinho has said Rooney is a goal scorer and that he sees him as a number 9 (or a 10 of course). Given their ages, Ibra and Rooney sharing this responsibility to some extent makes sense, if it doesnt work out because Rooney offers nothing when he comes on he is a step closer to leaving in the summer.

Oh my god.

He's been given chances left, right, top and centre these past few years. He's been shit everywhere, he is shit everywhere, and he will continue to be shit everywhere. Why should he be given yet another chance? On the off-chance he'll find the fountain of youth during his time on the bench?

Never has a footballer been paid so much, been given so many chances and produced so much shite. And had so many defenders.

 

[dichinero]

He should had come in after 60mins for Zlatan.. 245 goals sitting on the bench without support and confidence and yet when our only striker is having a stinker, Rooney doesn't get a real chance.. I'm counting on Jose co. to correct this ASAP..

Isnt that why he's out of the team in the first place, blowing chance after chance for the better part of 3 years? What is a real chance? Did he not lead the line against Northampton, only for a L2 defender to publicly claim that he handled Rooney easily. You guys need to give yourself a chance to move on. Zlatan hasn't scored for 3 games and Rooney becomes the solution? Mind you, Zlatan is also a 400 goal striker!

 

[Raees]

It is risky bringing him on in games like this. Hope Mourinho doesn't do that again.

 

[Adebesi]

Oh my god.

He's been given chances left, right, top and centre these past few years. He's been shit everywhere, he is shit everywhere, and he will continue to be shit everywhere. Why should he be given yet another chance? On the off-chance he'll find the fountain of youth during his time on the bench?

Never has a footballer been paid so much, been given so many chances and produced so much shite. And had so many defenders.

I dont really think of myself as a Rooney defender per se, more as someone trying to be open minded. Im not advocating starting him, Im simply saying if he is going to come on with 15 minutes to go, bringing him on in his actual position, as outlined by Mourinho, in place of someone who has done nothing all game, seems like the best option for him.

But I am certainly not writing him off yet. I wouldnt be surprised if this is it, he never does anything of note for us again and is finished at this club and this level. But neither would I be shocked if he came on up front and rose to the occasion. I have been inclined to give other players a chance under new management to prove they are better than they showed last year, I would extend the same courtesy to Rooney. So yes, if that is being a Rooney defender then I am one.

 

[Adisa]

He should had come in after 60mins for Zlatan.. 245 goals sitting on the bench without support and confidence and yet when our only striker is having a stinker, Rooney doesn't get a real chance.. I'm counting on Jose co. to correct this ASAP..

The feck are you on about?
You'd think were keeping Messi on the bench, reading that post.

 

[OohAahMartial]

As I said in the post match-thread; Our right side was a highway through our defense for the last 15 minutes. I dont know if he ignored his role, or was unable to fulfill it but the way they so easily played through was down to the sub.

Agreed. He's never a winger for me either. Jose has played him on the wings a bit I think just because its the least critical position.Yet even that is too risky with Rooney standing well off the opposition and being too lazy to track them. I think he was forced into the sub by Rashfords cramp.

 

[SteveJ]

Determined Rooney: "I’ve got a lot of football left"

“It’s football,” he told Manchester United’s official website. "I’ve started through all my career. This is a new challenge, it is a new period. I want to play. I just have to keep working and get into the team. I’m sure chances will come then it is up to me to take them. I like to think I can play every game but it’s the manager’s decision and I respect that. I will be ready when I’m needed. I’m 31 next week. I’ve got a lot of football left.”

http://www.football365.com/news/determined-rooney-ive-got-a-lot-of-football-left

 

[dichinero]

http://www.football365.com/news/determined-rooney-ive-got-a-lot-of-football-left

The guys talks more than Scholes these days, doesn't he? Apparently he personally arranged to be on the presser with Southgate just to defend himself and explain his thoughts regarding being dropped for England!

 

[Minimalist]

http://www.football365.com/news/determined-rooney-ive-got-a-lot-of-football-left

He probably does have a lot of football left.

Just not with United.

 

[sportsczy]

He can be an impact sub and spot starter... if he accepts it. No problem with that.

 

[ryan cook]

He can be an impact sub and spot starter... if he accepts it. No problem with that.

What impact would he have though?

 

[Randall Flagg]

The guys talks more than Scholes these days, doesn't he? Apparently he personally arranged to be on the presser with Southgate just to defend himself and explain his thoughts regarding being dropped for England!

People would find a way to blame him if he never spoke to the press.

The fact he has been majorly in the headlines recently, he is probably doing the right thing to address it publicly and saying the right things.

 

[sportsczy]

What impact would he have though?

I think the big thing that has caught up to him is pace... he was never very fast but fast enough. Now he just looks slow in everything he does. If he comes later in games, the opposition is tired while he's fresh. That should compensate for his lost pace. Still has good vision and a knack for scoring.

 

[dichinero]

People would find a way to blame him if he never spoke to the press.

The fact he has been majorly in the headlines recently, he is probably doing the right thing to address it publicly and saying the right things.

It's not that he is talking a lot but talking a lot of insignificant repeats. He is taking advantage of his media pull, to constantly talk about how he is still good and can play at the top level. Many of the fans can see that he has been shocking, defensive and bullish talk would not do him many favours with the fans. The other day, he something about the fan's criticism of him as rubbish. If you are going to ignore the complaint of the majority of the fans then you don't deserve sympathy imo. Apart from the Watford game were he briefly talked about his poor form, he's always been talking himself up!

 

[surf]

He doesn't exactly change games from the bench, which is what you want from a sub. Keep calm and carry on, Jose.

 

[Bobcat]

He should had come in after 60mins for Zlatan.. 245 goals sitting on the bench without support and confidence and yet when our only striker is having a stinker, Rooney doesn't get a real chance.. I'm counting on Jose co. to correct this ASAP..

He had plenty of chances this season, especially Northampton comes to mind, where he should have bossed the game, but was instead the worst player on the pitch by some distance.

He will get more chances as well this season, but honestly i have lost all faith in him turning it around.

 

[podurban2]

Rooney doesn't get enough chances now?

Speachless.

 

[Adam-Utd]

The thing for me is since he's been droppped nothing has changed.

He still jogs around the pitch at the same intensity, no closing down quickly with intent or making good sprints.

I used to think he was trying to conserve energy for the 90 minutes, but I think he just doesn't want to play like that anymore.

 

[NoLogo]

Should be starting today. If he is shit again, just drop him in the league game again.

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

I think the big thing that has caught up to him is pace... he was never very fast but fast enough. Now he just looks slow in everything he does. If he comes later in games, the opposition is tired while he's fresh. That should compensate for his lost pace. Still has good vision and a knack for scoring.

Scored something like 2 in his last 21 games.

 

[podurban2]

I think the big thing that has caught up to him is pace... he was never very fast but fast enough. Now he just looks slow in everything he does. If he comes later in games, the opposition is tired while he's fresh. That should compensate for his lost pace. Still has good vision and a knack for scoring.

Based on what exactly?!

 

[sportsczy]

Well they're playing him low in a regular CM or CAM role... i think he's rubbish there. IMO, he should be brought in as a striker.

Much better than having him start anyhow... and it's not like anyone is going to pick up his wages.

 

[Pexbo]

Well they're playing him low in a regular CM or CAM role... i think he's rubbish there. IMO, he should be brought in as a striker.

Much better than having him start anyhow... and it's not like anyone is going to pick up his wages.

He's not disciplined enough to lead the line, despite what he says about having a football brain.

He's not got the touch to create space, the strength or tenacity to out fight, the pace to get in behind or the short passing game to bring other players into play.

So what does he do? As he feels his game is going from bad to worse he slips deeper and deeper into midfield to find his comfort zone where he has time and space to put his foot on the ball and look up.

Mourinho knows this, it's why it's certain he will be sold next summer - January if he tries to force it.

When you see the "opinion" a bunch of ex players have on him, it's not difficult to believe that there is an EPL club that would buy him, we'll just have to have a big settlement with him regarding future incomes.

 

[sportsczy]

Who's going to buy Rooney? Nobody with those wages and there's no way he gives up on any of it. Man Utd will have to keep paying the majority of his wages for someone else to take him...

 

[Sparky10Legend]

I see the he's a 6/8/9/10 argument is back to give him a chance at 9.

However poorly Zlatan plays Rooney isnt the answer.

 

[sportsczy]

Not in place of Ibra... as a sub for him. Have Rooney spell Ibra late in games. Reason is that Ibra is not a young player anymore and I don't feel he can give 100% for the full 90 mins. He's pacing himself. Wouldn't it be better to have Ibra go harder for 70 mins and have Rooney come in for the last 20 mins?

Every club uses the CF this way. Even Aguero, Benzema, Lewandowski, Higuain, etc. get subbed out late in games so they don't need to pace themselves. Not sure why it should be different for Ibra.

 

[Sparky10Legend]

Not in place of Ibra... as a sub for him. Have Rooney spell Ibra late in games. Reason is that Ibra is not a young player anymore and I don't feel he can give 100% for the full 90 mins. He's pacing himself. Wouldn't it be better to have Ibra go harder for 70 mins and have Rooney come in for the last 20 mins?

Every club uses the CF this way. Even Aguero, Benzema, Lewandowski, Higuain, etc. get subbed out late in games so they don't need to pace themselves. Not sure why it should be different for Ibra.

I dont disagree, but feel Rooney isnt any kind of solution

 

[Brightonian]

I really do think in Mourinho's head, regardless of his placatory interviews, he's dropped Rooney from the starting XI. Despite two accidental assists, none of Rooney's appearances off the bench have actually improved the team's play. He's made the decision, and so far it's been justified.

In Ibra's case, it's clearly not merited to actually drop him, but I would rest him for this game. Get Martial up front, give Miki his start, get Mata and/or Lingard involved at some point, and Ibra can be fresh for Chelsea, which is likely to be exactly the sort of game we'll need his experience in.