Wayne Rooney, The Midfield General? Mourinho Says No.

What should we do with Rooney ?

  • Keep him as a starting XI player

    Votes: 23 6.7%

  • Sell him

    Votes: 221 64.8%

  • Keep him as a squad player

    Votes: 97 28.4%
  • Total voters
    341
  • Poll closed .
Wish people could see that the team dynamics wont allow Rooney to sit on the bench. He is very very popular with his team mates and they stick for each other, something LvG complained about saying players protect each other too much. If they feel one of their own is being mis-treated its upsets the whole group and team spirit. Even worse if its their beloved captain.

Rooney is simply not going anywhere and will be a starter in Jose's team
 
You brits on here: How do you think the the media would react if Woy dropped Rooney against Iceland and you lost? Would it be seen as a bold decision, or would he have been crucified for not playing "his best player"?

Anyways, Rooney, especially the current Rooney has no place as a CM, neither in England nor United.
 
The best game England have played recently in my opinion was the 2-3 win in Berlin.

Here was the lineup:

England
  • 1 Butland (Forster)
  • 2 Clyne
  • 5 Cahill
  • 6 Smalling
  • 3 Rose
  • 4 Dier
  • 8 Henderson
  • 7Lallana (Barkley)
  • 10 Alli
  • 11 Welbeck (Vardy)
  • 9 Kane
 
Dans said:
The best game England have played recently in my opinion was the 2-3 win in Berlin.

Here was the lineup:

England
  • 1 Butland (Forster)
  • 2 Clyne
  • 5 Cahill
  • 6 Smalling
  • 3 Rose
  • 4 Dier
  • 8 Henderson
  • 7Lallana (Barkley)
  • 10 Alli
  • 11 Welbeck (Vardy)
  • 9 Kane
Click to expand...

This. Exactly what I said before the tournament.
 
Bobcat said:
You brits on here: How do you think the the media would react if Woy dropped Rooney against Iceland and you lost? Would it be seen as a bold decision, or would he have been crucified for not playing "his best player"?

Anyways, Rooney, especially the current Rooney has no place as a CM, neither in England nor United.
Click to expand...

Most of the country didn't even want him in the squad. Opinions slightly changed when he put in some ok performances in midfield though.
 
Rooney is more highly rated by his peers and people within football than he is by the fans.
 
Dans said:
Rooney is more highly rated by his peers and people within football than he is by the fans.
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I really would love to know why that is? Why are they so blind to how shit he is? Is he doing amazing stuff in training that he somehow can't translate to competitive games? Is he the nicest guy you will ever meet and no coach or teammate can ever utter anything but praise about him because they love him so much? What the hell is going on that we are not seeing?
 
NoLogo said:
I really would love to know why that is? Why are they so blind to how shit he is? Is he doing amazing stuff in training that he somehow can't translate to competitive games? Is he the nicest guy you will ever meet and no coach or teammate can ever utter anything but praise about him because they love him so much? What the hell is going on that we are not seeing?
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No idea, but it says a lot about the English game for me. It's in a dire state - we invest nothing in youth, spend billions on players from Europe and the rest of the world who help disguise the lack of quality of our own players, produce players who believe in their own hype and spend their free time living the celebrity life. Did you listen to Jo Hart this morning? He'll have to take responsibility he said. How? Will he offer to retire from international football, because that's what he fecking well should do if he means he's actually going to act on that statement. The reality is it'll be business as usual and both he and Rooney will be leading our world cup qualifying effort. Plus ca change.
 
Bobcat said:
You brits on here: How do you think the the media would react if Woy dropped Rooney against Iceland and you lost? Would it be seen as a bold decision, or would he have been crucified for not playing "his best player"?

Anyways, Rooney, especially the current Rooney has no place as a CM, neither in England nor United.
Click to expand...

They would probably slaughter him for it despite every man and his dog knowing that it would be the right decision. He shouldn't even be at the Euros in the first place. It seems Rooney got friends at every media outlet. Must be the only reason behind him getting spared for years now.

Compare this to the Messi situation. The greatest player ever now retires from the NT at the age because of the pressure from fans and media back home since he can't replicate his historic perfomances from club level to the NT. Yet in England there's been total radio silence on the Rooney subject for years, until now.
 
Dans said:
Rooney is more highly rated by his peers and people within football than he is by the fans.
Click to expand...

I agree. It's very weird how that works. I think his peers and people within football are a little late to realize that his 'standing' in the game is no reason for him to continue having his way. He is one of the best English players of his generation. But, his performance levels have deteriorated very quickly over the last 2-3 years. (It has a lot to do with his ageing. He is stocky and in general stocky players deteriorate earlier). SAF saw that very early, but the others haven't caught on to it. Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why SAF was so good.

What Mourinho does with Rooney is yet to be seen. But, I find it hard to believe that Rooney will continue playing a CM position ahead of Hererra, Carrick, Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin, Blind + new midfielder (Pogba or whoever) for long. Let's see how it pans out.
 
It's quite bizarre how the media went on about his first couple of games as it was we had Zidane in his pomp. Dropping him in the Slovakia game was, in the media and expert pundits' eyes, a truly absurd decision as Rooney would have lifted us to glory, pinging passes across the field and showing tremendous leadership and desire. THAT 'performance' against Iceland is his average level and what we had to endure for the majority of last season. Unfortunately I have a funny feeling he will also be an automatic starter under Jose :wenger:
 
Bruno8 said:
Wish people could see that the team dynamics wont allow Rooney to sit on the bench. He is very very popular with his team mates and they stick for each other, something LvG complained about saying players protect each other too much. If they feel one of their own is being mis-treated its upsets the whole group and team spirit. Even worse if its their beloved captain.

Rooney is simply not going anywhere and will be a starter in Jose's team
Click to expand...
If you take a deep look at our first team you will see that a lot of those players have big question marks hanging over their heads bar De Gea, Martial, Rashford and Smalling which tells you that the majority of those players would be concerned with their own futures before they think about toppling the manager. Jose simply has to replace Rooney effectively before taking him head on i.e. sign better players in each of the positions he claims as his. For example if we bring Pogba, Miki, Ibra and Kante what argument will Rooney have to influence his vulnerable team mates to sabotage the team and their own careers when the team is performing and winning games? At the end of the day these are grown men looking to advance their careers.
 
Dans said:
Rooney is more highly rated by his peers and people within football than he is by the fans.
Click to expand...

Agreed - well past his best upfront or midfield - groupthink keeps him in with at Utd and England - Mourinho's usage of him will be very interesting to watch - if he retains him at all - £220,000 + per week in wages!!!!!
 
Dans said:
No idea, but it says a lot about the English game for me. It's in a dire state - we invest nothing in youth, spend billions on players from Europe and the rest of the world who help disguise the lack of quality of our own players, produce players who believe in their own hype and spend their free time living the celebrity life. Did you listen to Jo Hart this morning? He'll have to take responsibility he said. How? Will he offer to retire from international football, because that's what he fecking well should do if he means he's actually going to act on that statement. The reality is it'll be business as usual and both he and Rooney will be leading our world cup qualifying effort. Plus ca change.
Click to expand...

I'm not even sure if you invest too little in youth. I just think that your football education is really flawed. You produce too many tactically naive and mentally week players for some reason.
 
NoLogo said:
I really would love to know why that is? Why are they so blind to how shit he is? Is he doing amazing stuff in training that he somehow can't translate to competitive games? Is he the nicest guy you will ever meet and no coach or teammate can ever utter anything but praise about him because they love him so much? What the hell is going on that we are not seeing?
Click to expand...

His scoring record for England leading up to the Euros was something like 8 in 10 for. He outperforms Kane, Sturridge etc etc as a forward for England but like at the last Euros he is shifted out of position to accommodate someone else.

I think he is a good leader on the pitch and understands how the coaches want the team to play which is why LVG loved him.

Fergie wanted rid of him by the time he left, however.
 
BarstoolProphet said:
They would probably slaughter him for it despite every man and his dog knowing that it would be the right decision. He shouldn't even be at the Euros in the first place. It seems Rooney got friends at every media outlet. Must be the only reason behind him getting spared for years now.

Compare this to the Messi situation. The greatest player ever now retires from the NT at the age because of the pressure from fans and media back home since he can't replicate his historic perfomances from club level to the NT. Yet in England there's been total radio silence on the Rooney subject for years, until now.
Click to expand...

That's not true. The media has pinged its hopes on Rooney for every tournament. It then bashes him for every tournament loss (regardless of whether Rooney was fit enough to play in the first place). The only time he got away was the Ronaldo (Red Card) incident, because the media had a foreigner to go after.
 
Bruno8 said:
Wish people could see that the team dynamics wont allow Rooney to sit on the bench. He is very very popular with his team mates and they stick for each other, something LvG complained about saying players protect each other too much. If they feel one of their own is being mis-treated its upsets the whole group and team spirit. Even worse if its their beloved captain.

Rooney is simply not going anywhere and will be a starter in Jose's team
Click to expand...
If you take a deep look at our first team you will see that a lot of those players have big question marks hanging over their heads bar De Gea, Martial, Rashford and Smalling which tells you that the majority of those players would be concerned with their own futures before they think about toppling the manager. Jose simply has to replace Rooney effectively before taking him head on i.e. sign better players in each of the positions he claims as his. For example if we bring Pogba, Miki, Ibra and Kante what argument will Rooney have to influence his vulnerable team mates to sabotage the team and their own careers when the team is performing and winning games? At the end of the day these are grown men looking to advance their careers.
 
itso 7 said:
If you take a deep look at our first team you will see that a lot of those players have big question marks hanging over their heads bar De Gea, Martial, Rashford and Smalling which tells you that the majority of those players would be concerned with their own futures before they think about toppling the manager. Jose simply has to replace Rooney effectively before taking him head on i.e. sign better players in each of the positions he claims as his. For example if we bring Pogba, Miki, Ibra and Kante what argument will Rooney have to influence his vulnerable team mates to sabotage the team and their own careers when the team is performing and winning games? At the end of the day these are grown men looking to advance their careers.
Click to expand...

I don't think its as clear as that. Mourinho has been a big fan of Rooney for years. I don't think he will give up trying to get the best from Rooney. He tried to do something similar with Falcao but failed miserably. Mourinho's ego may get the better of him when it comes to Rooney. We are surely going to have Rooney playing a lot next season. I just don't know where he will play though! If Mourinho does get rid, then its going to be a much better one-time solution for the club. (Him or the next manager will no longer have to deal with the Rooney issue in the dressing room). Moyes made a huge mistake offering Rooney a 5 year contract!
 
Heardy said:
Do you think Jose might whisper in his ear to call time on his international career and focus on United?
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Probably better for us the other way round really. Rooney is not a midfielder and he never will be.
Having him there is just sacrificing a place which could be taken by a more adequate player.
 
If Rooneys not good enough to start as a striker or a holding forward, he shouldn't be starting at all. What's next? Use him as a CB? If you look past his name and legacy, you'd pick Drinkwater over Rooney as CM.
 
Heardy said:
Do you think Jose might whisper in his ear to call time on his international career and focus on United?
Click to expand...

He looks knackered so maybe its time he retired from club football to focus on the NT. That way he will be well rested for games every other month.
 
Surprising that he is being bashed for the loss. It was a collective failure and capitulation. Also, the manager is clueless, I am not sure how he remained in the job for 4 years despite only winning 3 games in international competition during his tenure.

Add to that the fact that he is the highest paid manager in the group.
 
John Blund said:
If Rooneys not good enough to start as a striker or a holding forward, he shouldn't be starting at all. What's next? Use him as a CB? If you look past his name and legacy, you'd pick Drinkwater over Rooney as CM.
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heaven forbid, Rooney's lack of any defensive ability lead to their first goal. Then again he's about 5ft 6 and weighs about 15 stone, can't jump either. Islandic bloke wouldn't have got that header against Henderson, Milner or Barkley. They can all score a penalty as well.
 
Subho611 said:
Surprising that he is being bashed for the loss. It was a collective failure and capitulation. Also, the manager is clueless, I am not sure how he remained in the job for 4 years despite only winning 3 games in international competition during his tenure.

Add to that the fact that he is the highest paid manager in the group.
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Is Rooney being bashed for the loss? I think Roy and Hart are being fried much more.
 
Heardy said:
Do you think Jose might whisper in his ear to call time on his international career and focus on United?
Click to expand...
Nope. Rooney will never quit England until he is pushed out.
 
Adam-Utd said:
Nope. Rooney will never quit England until he is pushed out.
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Same as United then, he'll be here expecting to play every game until someone calls time on him. As him getting the same amount anywhere else is improbable then we're stuck with him.
 
NoLogo said:
I'm not even sure if you invest too little in youth. I just think that your football education is really flawed. You produce too many tactically naive and mentally week players for some reason.
Click to expand...
That's for sure. We never caught up with football "on the continent". I see it every week in the U9 here and our local Landesliga side give me the impression they are technically better and cerebrally more capable than the England team.
 
Subho611 said:
Surprising that he is being bashed for the loss. It was a collective failure and capitulation. Also, the manager is clueless, I am not sure how he remained in the job for 4 years despite only winning 3 games in international competition during his tenure.

Add to that the fact that he is the highest paid manager in the group.
Click to expand...
It's a Rooney thread.
 
parisite said:
Probably better for us the other way round really. Rooney is not a midfielder and he never will be.
Having him there is just sacrificing a place which could be taken by a more adequate player.
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I think Jose will start Rooney initially as a courtesy type thing, But he will slowly reduce his role as the season goes on. I mean he has to, We cannot afford to carry a passenger in midfield, and that is one position in which Jose likes hard workers and players who bring things to the table, Rooney is a mere luxury at this point.
 
Subho611 said:
Surprising that he is being bashed for the loss. It was a collective failure and capitulation. Also, the manager is clueless, I am not sure how he remained in the job for 4 years despite only winning 3 games in international competition during his tenure.

Add to that the fact that he is the highest paid manager in the group.
Click to expand...
He's not being blamed for the loss, Hodgson is. Rooney, in a thread about Rooney, surprisingly, is being criticised for bring utter rubbish as a midfielder.
 
Classical Mechanic said:
His scoring record for England leading up to the Euros was something like 8 in 10 for. He outperforms Kane, Sturridge etc etc as a forward for England but like at the last Euros he is shifted out of position to accommodate someone else.

I think he is a good leader on the pitch and understands how the coaches want the team to play which is why LVG loved him.

Fergie wanted rid of him by the time he left, however.
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I agree with this, people are too quick to jump on Rooney, he might not be a world beater but he was the biggest constant and experience in the team, I think Roy was right in taking him and playing him, however....
It was recognised early on that teams were sitting deep against you, you didn't need anybody running channels or in behind, (Vardy, Sturridge) it wasn't there to do and Kane had a shocking tournament imo, I really think he should have put Rooney up top and picked an actual midfield to play behind him, then played some football. You couldn't score goals and the main reason for that was lack of creating chances, not missing chances. Roy got lucky with Vardy scoring one against Wales (offside as feck but lucky, anonymous for the rest of the game) and Sturridge 'shoot from anywhere' scoring at the death then just thought it was great to throw as many strikers on as possible when in trouble, most playing out of position.
I agree Rooney has declined but he gets a lot too much hate and nowhere near enough respect in my opinion, from both united and England fans.
 
RedDevil@84 said:
I hardly see the need to push Rooney out of English NT. It is the same story, with or without him.
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The problem is he HAS to start, not because he deserves too on merit, but because he is Wayne Rooney.

Last night he should have been subbed at 60 minutes, did you see Conte sub De Rossi because of 2 slack passes? My god I think he would have had a seizure if Rooney was Italian :lol:
 
I'm sure Jose watched this match and if he still puts rooney on our starting 11, I will seriously doubt about Jose.
 
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