Ramires? The one who plays for Chelsea? The one that looks like Gary Coleman? Him? For Wayne Rooney? The one of United’s greatest ever goal scorers Wayne Rooney? The five titles in seven years Wayne Rooney? Please tell me this is a joke…..
Before you log off or bombard me with abuse allow me to elucidate, I realise the idea of letting Rooney go to our rivals may see abhorrent to every Red, especially as it’s pretty much common knowledge Chelsea are one striker short of a title challenge. Rooney would surely take them to the next level, which could well be above us in the table if we’re not careful.
As for Ramires, he’s hardly top of everyone’s shopping list, a player less likely to excite the Old Trafford faithful than the return of Bebe. For one second though just think about several factors that may make the deal seem less cuckoo than we first thought. For starters Ramires is the sort of player United are actually crying out for, someone who can get hold of the ball and do a bit of graft a box to box energetic type that may not have the vision of a Michael Carrick or a skills of Shinji Kagawa but could slot in between them in a midfield line that would cover all the bases. Tackling? Check, Ramires can mix it up and Carrick isn’t easily beaten. Carrying the ball, Ramires can run with it as we saw at Old Trafford in the FA Cup. Creating chances for others, Ramires, Carrick and Kagawa are all capable of that. Getting goals? Ramires and more so Kagawa can do that. All of a sudden the midfield seems complete, with all the attributes you need from the men in the middle.
Ah but then there’s letting Rooney go, not only that but letting him go to our rivals. A valid point. First of all Rooney has now twice asked to leave, apparently, and as George W Bush once said: “ask to leave once, shame on you, ask to leave twice…erm…..you won’t ask to leave again.” or words to a similar effect. If the Scouse striker is determined he doesn’t want to play second fiddle to arguably the best striker in the world, then fair dos don’t let Phil Jones chin you on the way out. Rooney may want to leave but not fancy starting a new life with his young family in a country that is well “like living in a foreign country like la.” If Wazza doesn’t fancy French toast for breakfast then the options suddenly become very limited for both player and club. City and Chelsea are the only two clubs likely to be able and willing to pay Rooney’s astronomical wages and a move across Manchester is a definite no-no from a United point of view. Watching two members of our double winning strike force help City launch a title bid and possibly an assault on Europe is too much for any Red to take.
That just leaves Chelsea – Arsenal will never pay his wages so I’ve not even considered them- but the problem is he’d improve their side to the point of perhaps surpassing ours. Well he could do, but then again he could not, after all his form has been patchy and moving to the bright lights of London to chill with his bezzie Ashley Cole may not be conducive to getting him off the fags and pasties and more focused on his football. Also there’s a strong suggestion, not saying its true but it’s feasible, that a player who has now been playing eleven years of top flight football and has a somewhat stocky physique is actually past his best, again not saying he can’t still do a good job but he may not be the world class player he once was. Finally and perhaps more pertinently if Chelsea don’t sign Rooney they’ll probably go out and get a Falcao or someone equally as amazing therefore completely negating the argument that missing out on him stops them raising their game to the next level.
All this seems pointless if Chelsea don’t want to part with Ramires but according to reports in the Italian press should Rafa Benitez take the Napoli job, he could make the Brazilian his first signing. So if Chelsea were willing to part with Ramires for say £15 million then surely they’d be willing to give us some money and take Rooney off our hands for him.
Disclaimer- this bit might be getting a bit too far-fetched but bear with me- Chelsea could even swap Ramires and Romelu Lukaku for Rooney if United wanted a young yet proven striker ready made to be an understudy to the likes of RVP, Danny Welbeck and Chicharito. There you can ignore that bit if you want but its just a thought as I seriously doubt it would be a deal breaker if David Moyes demanded the two in exchange for a marquee player like Rooney.
Ramires may not be everyone’s cup of tea but he does a good job for Chelsea none more so than in the Nou Camp two seasons where he had a bit of a worldy against the cream of Europe’s midfield- scoring a ridiculously good goal in the process. The energetic midfielder could be just what’s needed to kick the Reds on in Europe, while if we get some money as well off the Pensioners – or a young striker- we could use it to strengthen up front.
I realise this idea seems so out there many of you will be calling for me to change my meds, but just ask yourself is this side one that could challenge in Europe, perhaps even more so than one with Rooney in it?:
DDG
RAFAEL RIO/JONES VIDIC/EVANS EVRA/FABIO
CARRICK AND RAMIRES
YOUNG/NANI/GIGGS KAGAWA ZAHA/TONY V
RVP/WELBECK/CHICHARITO
I like Rooney – as a striker- I really do, less so when he’s played deeper, but if his United career can’t be salvaged, is this a deal that could work out better for the Reds in the long run?
I fully expect a lot of abuse in the comments below- don’t let me down:
Feel free to give me stick on twitter too @RFFH
Good shout Jay, but can’t see that happening. I’d take Ramires though any day of the week.
I really like ramires as a player, probably the only box to box midfielder (of quality) around at the moment. It used to be commonplace seeing the likes of Keane, Vieira, Gerrard (young version), Hargreaves in the premier league. Box to box midfielders who provided as much up top as they do at the back… they arent really around any more.
Whether a player like this is the best option for united however is where i have a problem with this, rather than if rooney should be out and replaced with someone. For about 6 years now, people have been screaming out for united to sign a CM (i was one of them)… fergie has held strong and refused, and guess what, its worked! Title after title with a seemingly ‘weak’ midfield.
I would much rather keep things as they are and exchange rooney with a winger who can play on the left… and no, this doesnt necessarily have to be bale… im sure there is more than one LW out there.
On the whole, whilst i dont fully agree, its not the craziest idea out there… lets put it this way… id prefer ramires to fellaini!!!
Rvp arguably the best striker in the world? Hahahahahahhaaahaaabbahahahahahahabahbahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahaahhaa. Rvp never ever performs well in European events , fact . Rvp has done very little for his country , fact . Rvp is not even Hollands first choice striker , fact . Hunterlaar , so underrated its almost shameful , is . This decision is made by a great great manager , Louis van gaal , fact . Rvp has had only to seasons in his career where he has scored over 20 goals in all completions , I don’t care if he was injured , that sure as hell doesn’t mean he wudve been consistent had he not been . Wayne Rooney is a better box player than rvp says football expert Andy Townsend , fact . Wayne Rooney asked for a transfer request in 2010 rightfully questioning club ambitions as we embarked on fielding very possibly the weakest united squad of the last 2 decades , fans waned signings that season too , did we get any ? Ofcourse not . Did Wayne Rooney carry united to the champions league final , an FA cup semi and a premier league title that season ? With a golden boot, he sure did . 2012, we lose to city on goal difference, united again accused of fielding the weakest squad of the past 2 decades , filled to the brim with youth . Wayne Rooney scored 27 league goals that season second only to rvp who had a much much better attacking midfield to aid him, FACT.2013, Wayne Rooney gets dropped from the strikers role and starts filling gaps around the field all because rvp , SAF s love child , takes rooneys position without even giving Rooney a chance . Rooney suffers a nasty injury , is force to watch rvp steal his spot completely , then forced to play in positions including the left wing , cm , right wing And in a role far too deep to be called behind the striker . Wayne Rooney stills scores 16 goals and a leading assist tally of 10 . How dare u united fans turn ur back on some1 who has brought us glory and been with us for 9 years , I’m really shocked some of u even claim to watch football . Wayne Rooney , will come back to trafford as a Chelsea player and tear the united defence to shreds . U say he’s unfit and doesn’t train hard enough? Really , WAYNE ROONEY , does not train hard enough? Did the press tell u this ? Ofcourse . Do u believe every word of the press? Probably . Wake up united fans , this 27year old STRIKER , is far from past his peak . 30 year old rvp , definately closer . After watching Rooney form such incredible partnerships with Ronaldo , Chicha and that excellent understanding with Valencia on the wing in 2010 , coupled with the fact the one game Rooney and kagawa played the 2 upfront united banged in 4 and by far kagawa’s best performance of the season , who, on earth , would want Rooney to leave ???? Only fake united fans who watch 10 games a season , that I assure u . Pull the wool above ur eyes united fans .
U’re the best.u shd be the one writing articles around here.
u’ve got a point. but the thing is, if Rooney wants to leave, theres not much we can do. hes the kind of player who plays very well only when h’es got his mind focused on just playing. Not every united fan wants Rooney out. But if he does leave, I doubt we would sell him to an english club.
am kenyan,chelsea fan.rooney’s form may be low right now VP is a lesser player for real.vp only scores,rooney does it whole….its a bit riduculous but ill tell given opportunity in this transfer window,ill pick Rooney add Fellaini and the league goes chelsea way for the next three year.if you united want to confirm between Rooney and van persie who is better then late him join chelsea……………for ramy and David liuz,please keep dreaming,we wont lose any soon.lukaki better than wellbeck,who doesn’t know that………..just u.united strength has been quick counter attack,the last time i checked,mohes is not that,so man has to go down,and its now.
Very well said JD , also , u are 100% right about the fact that Rooney will prove he is better than rvp at Chelsea. Unfortunately I most united fans are glory hunting idiots who probably can’t kick a ball.
ABS. AGREE ON THE RAMIRES-HIGH-QUALITY meaning of your post. Though – I would NO AT ALL allow Rooney´s tranfer within EPL … IF he even was to go, indeed / goood note on ramires-fellaini above too imo
YES, Ramires is rubbish
Look if a player wants to leave a club there not much a fan can do to stop it. It does not matter how long or how well they have done for the club if they want to go let them go. All I will say is Rooney brought this on himself didnt he? think back to late 2010 Rooney tells the club he wants out and questions united transfer policy and ambitions.. So united take that on bored sign a top class striker and now Rooney got his knickers in a twist coz he is no longer united’s golden boy.. Don’t get me wrong I love nothing more than seen the white pele in full flow driving united on spraying the ball around the park and controlling the game but that only happens when Rooney is happy but right now he’s not and his end of season displays have shown that. If he does go in the summer will he be regarded as a true united great? In my eyes he is the heart beat of the team but needs to pull his head out of his back side or end up like Gazza all washed up!
great idea jay,but can’t see that happpening and i would not sell wayne to a premier league club.ramires is a great player and would fit perfectly at man utd but what should be done is:sell wayne abroad,invest in wanyama,strootman or gundogan.one of those three would do but two of them would be just ideal.cheers and thanks for a great post.
Sell Rooney in exchange of Ramires? huh… but then again such tripe can only come from someone who thinks Welbeck is the best thing that has ever happened to united since CR7 left!