Rooney kisses the badge on his chest….but doesn’t put in a transfer request
The truth is that Stoke proved very little about Rooney’s midfield capabilities as the opposition was so poor, even Anderson could’ve looked mobile and dominant against the likes of Charlie Adam. Fast forward four days and following Rooney’s abysmal performance against West Ham, the knives were out.
It seemed Rooney’s poor showing at Upton Park had proven without a doubt that he wasn’t good enough for a midfield role and would surely be jettisoned in the Summer. Well allow me to err on the side of caution but the fact is neither the Britannia or the Boleyn Ground was enough to show us anything about Rooney in midfield. Against Mohammed Diame Rooney struggled, against Adam he shone, this proves very little and isn’t enough to make final decisions about the best role for him on.
One way we could decide once and for all whether Rooney is truly good enough in midfield would be to play him there for the rest of the season. There’s five games left, including ones against tough midfields such as Arsenal and Chelsea, if United really want to see whether Wazza is up to the job, let him have a run in the side against the likes of Arteta, Lampard, Cazorla and Mata. Yes, we’re still in a title race but it’s hardly the biggest gamble when you’re double digit points clear with five games to go, playing Rooney in a role he’s played in the last two games. Should he shine as United lift the title then maybe he does have a future as a CM, but should he recreate his performance at Upton Park over the next five games, then as I truly believe, it’s time to face facts that Rooney is a striker and always will be.
Is Rooney cut out for midfield? Would giving him till the remainder of the season in the position be enough?
Feel free to comment suggest and abuse below:
For more Red notions follow me on twitter @RFFH
Rooney is a striker period.Fergie should just get a proper midfielder.
And where would that leave Tom Cleverly?
I’d certainly love to see him get a run in the position. Using Rooney in the role is better than blowing 30m on Modric and risking another Veron. If we’re gonna break the bank we should do it for an attacking player – Bale, Ronaldo, Rodriguez etc. Midfield, especially in a 4-4-2, is the least important area of the pitch.
My opinion is that Roo would settle into the role after a while anyhow. No need to make silly decisions like Modric, Vidal etc.
No he is not the answer to the midfield issue. I think its a little desperate to suggest that he will just turn into a top attacking midfielder. I agree he had a good game against Stoke, but they didn’t make it too difficult for him.
Momo Diame turned Rooney so easily before scoring on Wednesday, it showed he is not a natural midfielder. Rooney loses his rag at times when he losses the ball, and recently he has been passing the ball poorly and his first touch is heavy. If we stick in the middle of the park then eventually he will get frustrated, which will result in bookings for the guy.
I’m not trying to bash Rooney. He has been a top player for Man Utd and has contributed fantastically to the team since he arrived. I think he is a forward though and its plain and simple. I was hoping he could adapt and be more of a playmaker and operate behind Van Persie, but alongside Kagawa and Valencia. The truth is though that it doesn’t work.
It is only my opinion, but the Rooney and Man Utd adventure is over. I think there might be some fire to the whole PSG story. It seems a little strong and Ferguson didn’t convince me with his quote of “I don’t think there is anything in that at all,”. I’m sorry but that wasn’t much of a denial for me. I think Ferguson will sell if PSG offer between £25-30 million.
Ferguson sells players when he feels their fire is gone and they are not totally committed to their profession. I’m sorry but Rooney is no longer sharp and has definitely lost his edge. I know he has scored goals, some of them important which have won 3 point, but besides the Man City game he hasn’t scored a really big team. The start of the season was poor when he returned to pre-season overweight. I think spending your time off in Las Vegas is fine, but drinking and smoking all day is probably a poor way to act for an athlete.
Ferguson knows when to sell players, and leaving him out against Real Madrid was the first sign. He is no longer an automatic choice to start, no longer one of the first names on the team-sheet, and no longer as valuable as he once was. If think selling Rooney is the kick up the ass other players in the squad will need as well. If you drop your standards then you are out.
As for the midfield, we need to solve this issue properly. I think we will finally sell Anderson this summer because he needs to move on. Scholes and Fletcher will probably both retire as well. I think that leaves Carrick, Cleverley, Jones and Giggs. Powell is a real talent but I would expect him to be loaned out for the season, probably to Hull City and Steve Bruce if they are promoted.
I think Ferguson will target two new midfielder for the summer. I have a feeling one of those that he will push hard for is Frank Lampard. A free transfer and real experience that Ferguson will value, especially is he looses Scholes and Fletcher. We will need a second midfielder, someone like Kevin Strootman.