I reckon he'd have finished the season at right back if LVG stuck around.
Wayne Rooney, The Midfield General? Mourinho Says No.
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haha, seriously? Finally.
Peaked in 09/10 not been the same since. Someday there will be a Rooneyless United, why not now?
What is knee jerk about it? I would have Cleverly in midfield before Rooney.Talk about knee jerk reactions
Sorry but that statement is simply laughable.
Apparently Rooney is supposed to be better than an actual midfielder who isn't even bad, just not elite.
Talk about knee jerk reactions
Sorry but that statement is simply laughable.
Who to believe?
Right Back. He could grow to be a centre back by playing there. Worked for Smalling after all.
Thanks to the Euros, Rooney and Smalling confirmed that they are very ordinary players. Smalling, without De Gea, is far from an elite CB. Rooney, I'd be worried if he was a starter next season. He should only play GK during practice, that's about it.
Smalling plays in slow motion, I'm a massive fan of his defending but feck me, he's a nightmare for any side wanted to start quick attacks or inject any urgency in their play.
Its funny looking at first few pages how quick people change opinions, I have said for years Rooney is past it, and dont change my opinion by kneejerks from match to match, first he was a accepted to be a midfielder,now after todays match hes utter shit(which he is for a player on his wages)
should've accepted the Chinese offer, or even Chelsea's
I actually like Rooney but it's undeniable that this insistence that we have to play him is hurting the team.
We're buying players in his position so to accommodate him, he's now a midfielder just to put him in the starting XI. Problem is he's worse than our other actual midfielders and makes us worse. He can hit a decent diagonal and he'll run around for an hour before he's huffing and puffing (Anderson style) and that's it. We're literally playing him because of one good bit of skill he has. It's as ridiculous as if when it was obvious Vidic was in the wane we played him as a striker because he was good at headers.
I know he's on a lot of money, but just because he's a burden financially doesn't mean he should be a burden on performances as well.
We're buying players in his position so to accommodate him, he's now a midfielder just to put him in the starting XI. Problem is he's worse than our other actual midfielders and makes us worse. He can hit a decent diagonal and he'll run around for an hour before he's huffing and puffing (Anderson style) and that's it. We're literally playing him because of one good bit of skill he has. It's as ridiculous as if when it was obvious Vidic was in the wane we played him as a striker because he was good at headers.
I know he's on a lot of money, but just because he's a burden financially doesn't mean he should be a burden on performances as well.
We need to look elsewhere for inspiration. Simple.
I think, for his own good, he should be looking for a move to the MLS.
Remember when Chelsea and Mou were chasing Rooney? I was petrified that under new management he'd flourish again. Ironic, now that Mou is at United, that the burden of his mediocrity is now Mou's problem not asset.
He's on 300k per week. He'd make more in China or maybe Qatar, but that's it. He'd be a fool to move on before his contract expires.
I think paying his exorbitant wages and not playing him would do us less harm than playing him and let him "earn" his wages. He only really weakens the team when he plays.
Not looking forward at all to the forthcoming Zlatan / Rooney combo ...
Whenever he leaves will be one of the happiest moments for me. We've played to his tune (badly) since SAF left and whoever finally has the balls to flog him off to China/MLS will be my hero. SAF gave Moyes the ability to sell him off while not even taking the blame and Moyes ruined that too.
Have said it before, how soon Mourinho drops him will go a long way into deciding how his first season here goes.
Midfield general. I don't want to call people clueless but what happened shouldn't be a surprise unless football is all about pinging balls to the RW/RB under 0 pressure and with the time to take 1234 touches per pass.
Midfield general. I don't want to call people clueless but what happened shouldn't be a surprise unless football is all about pinging balls to the RW/RB under 0 pressure and with the time to take 1234 touches per pass.
Who should be captain then?
This. Post of the year. Much of the success of next season depends whether we try to shoehorn Rooney into this team. Hopefully Mourinho sees this early. I think he is not afraid to make the big decisions ala Casillas at Madrid.
Lol.
I want Degea.
Someone who's a performer and can lead by example. We're short on leaders so we'll have to ignore that quality unfortunately. Smalling or de Gea are both good choices in the circumstances. Ibra would tick all the boxes but he won't be made captain in his first season.
Essentially, you pick your best 11 and then choose the captain, not the other way round.
Damn straight.
For me the Captain should lead by example. That doesnt necessarily mean by shouting at the players. I am talking performance wise. And again I dont mean someone who runs all day for the team. I am talking about someone who influences matches whether in a defensive way or offensive way
Rooney does none of those things. Van Gaal made him captain and inisisted "my captain shall always play" god I dont miss Van Gaal
There are a few options for captain. We have 2 of the biggest leaders in club football at the club in BFS and Ibra. Not sure about the fitness of BFS though. For me Ibra has the stature of a man who is a leader. I believe the players would respond to that out of fear let alone anything else. Similar impact as to what Keane had on the players.
Rooney does none of those things. Van Gaal made him captain and inisisted "my captain shall always play" god I dont miss Van Gaal
There are a few options for captain. We have 2 of the biggest leaders in club football at the club in BFS and Ibra. Not sure about the fitness of BFS though. For me Ibra has the stature of a man who is a leader. I believe the players would respond to that out of fear let alone anything else. Similar impact as to what Keane had on the players.
I hope Mou ships him out but I think it's unlikely.. the best we can hope for is Mkhitaryan and others to put in some good performances resulting in Rooney on the bench; I think Mou will bench him if he's inconsistent. God I hope he chooses a new captain.If we do - as the rumours go - sign Zlatan, Mkhitaryan and also one of Pogba/James/Draxler, I think the writing is on the wall. With those players coming in, there'd hopefully be no place in the team for Rooney. I would be beyond dejected if he continued to get time on the field - including in Cup games, reserve games etc...
BS who played a handful of games and his fitness and shape is shocking? Or Zlatan who has not signed yet? Mmmm against a guy that's been a mainstay of our club the last 10 years and is still one of our best players? Hard choice!
"I'm still available to play. It'll be interesting to see who comes in."
You mean Carrick? A stretch given recent form, but I see what you mean. Only other player that's been around 10 years is Rooney and he's definitely at the other end of the "best players" spectrum...
I said I had doubt about the fitness of BFS. However i dont buy into the argument that a captain cannot be someone who is new to the club. You think Rooney is still one of the best players at the club? In which position are you referring to? Striker? I dont think so. I think Martial and Ibra are better. You are referring to midfield then? Well I dont buy into the hype that Rooney can suddenly decide he is now a midfielder when he is no longer good enough up top either.
Can you hit a pass 50 yards to the right wing and run? If so, you have got the job
It's not the age, it's the mileage.
In all sports where people start young, like swimming, gymnastics, tennis even, they are usually retired by their mid 20's, late 20's at the most. The body just can't keep performing at the very highest level for so long without time taking it's toll. Injuries, fatigue and just overall overuse contribute to a steady decline in the very best athletes - let alone someone not so physically gifted in terms of physique or natural fitness as Rooney (I think it is fair to say that he never had a high natural fitness level like Sheringham, Giggs etc) .
He was an excellent player in 09/10 - but he started playing at too high a level too soon. He had to strive and fight for fitness in his teens, and has now played more games than some players have played by their mid thirties! Arguably he is a victim of the system - he wasn't shielded enough when he first broke through as it was in the interests of Everton to have him playing regularly, both to help the team, but also put him in the shop window for a big pay day for the club.
I'm not a fan of his at all, never have been, but he has my sympathy as he has been picked up and spat out by the current system. He is well past his best, and should never be a regular starter for us for a whole season on current form and performance - yes he can do a job, but it is becoming more limited and I don't think that he would be happy being a bit part player on the bench. He is arguably still good enough for a mid table PL team - Everton, Stoke perhaps, or the MLS. I really think that time has come for him to move on and us to clear the decks without his baggage.
I blame Moyes. He fast tracked the player at Everton. Now he has put Rooney (who will know he is past his best and under immense pressure), the club (who know the same but were persuaded otherwise, and compounded things by making him the face of the club) and the incumbent coach in a difficult position. We need to get in leaders, vocal players to dilute Rooney's dressing room influence before we move him on, but I can't see him staying beyond next season unless he has an 'Indian Summer' season and scores 30 goals.
Regardless of the trophies and medals he has won, I think we'll look back on Waynes career as how it shouldn't be done, rather than a gifted player being nurtured and reaching their full potential over a long career.
In all sports where people start young, like swimming, gymnastics, tennis even, they are usually retired by their mid 20's, late 20's at the most. The body just can't keep performing at the very highest level for so long without time taking it's toll. Injuries, fatigue and just overall overuse contribute to a steady decline in the very best athletes - let alone someone not so physically gifted in terms of physique or natural fitness as Rooney (I think it is fair to say that he never had a high natural fitness level like Sheringham, Giggs etc) .
He was an excellent player in 09/10 - but he started playing at too high a level too soon. He had to strive and fight for fitness in his teens, and has now played more games than some players have played by their mid thirties! Arguably he is a victim of the system - he wasn't shielded enough when he first broke through as it was in the interests of Everton to have him playing regularly, both to help the team, but also put him in the shop window for a big pay day for the club.
I'm not a fan of his at all, never have been, but he has my sympathy as he has been picked up and spat out by the current system. He is well past his best, and should never be a regular starter for us for a whole season on current form and performance - yes he can do a job, but it is becoming more limited and I don't think that he would be happy being a bit part player on the bench. He is arguably still good enough for a mid table PL team - Everton, Stoke perhaps, or the MLS. I really think that time has come for him to move on and us to clear the decks without his baggage.
I blame Moyes. He fast tracked the player at Everton. Now he has put Rooney (who will know he is past his best and under immense pressure), the club (who know the same but were persuaded otherwise, and compounded things by making him the face of the club) and the incumbent coach in a difficult position. We need to get in leaders, vocal players to dilute Rooney's dressing room influence before we move him on, but I can't see him staying beyond next season unless he has an 'Indian Summer' season and scores 30 goals.
Regardless of the trophies and medals he has won, I think we'll look back on Waynes career as how it shouldn't be done, rather than a gifted player being nurtured and reaching their full potential over a long career.
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Really time to move on. Rooney's too expensive to sit on our bench but that is where he should be. I ask myself if Jose has the balls to drop him. I doubt it.
Sorry, but while I detest Moyes as much as the next man, this is a bizarre rant against him (though I fully agree on the overall point about mileage).
In 2 seasons , he made 77 appearances across competitions most of which he made as a sub. At United, he made 91 in his first two alone - most as a starter. How on earth was Moyes to blame? If anything, Rooney left Everton because he felt Moyes wasn't playing him enough.