'Wayne Rooney is a sacrificial lamb and I hate it'

Rooney's wages make him difficult to sell on Football Manager. That's why I hate him, even though he actually adds a lot to the squad in real life.
 
If Rooney was anything but British he'd be getting slated left, right and center. Torres was younger and offering probably a similar amount and he became a laughing stock in the eyes of certain folk.
Rooney isn't even playing.

Do you think that's because he's British?
 
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:lol:
 
Rooney's wages make him difficult to sell on Football Manager. That's why I hate him, even though he actually adds a lot to the squad in real life.

The real bugbear most here have with him. It's a bitch to sell him off in FM. :mad:
 
I thought last night was a fairly significant moment in Rooney's United career. I think we all know he's on the wane (sorry), and very likely to leave come the summer, but he was effectively told last night that he's less trusted than a 20 year old kid. One who is out of form, lacking confidence and isn't particularly doing it for the manager as it is. We needed to score a goal and Mourinho didn't think Rooney was up to scoring it.

It's not remotely disrespectful, mind you. Moreso the reality of the his newfound position. What Wilkins is saying has nothing to do with his lack of game time. It's just a strange rant.

I agree and it was 100% the right call. In the situation the team was in you either go for the experienced player on the way out or the young kid who could play a huge part in the club's future. I was delighted (and a little surprised) that Jose went for Martial.

It was a significant moment for Rooney but only in confirming the inevitable. If he had brought Rooney on instead it was potentially an even more significant moment for Martial's United career.
 
Hasn't Gareth Southgate disrespected him to, not selecting him and taking captain's armband off him.

On a side note can Wayne play centre half?
 
Hasn't Gareth Southgate disrespected him to, not selecting him and taking captain's armband off him.

On a side note can Wayne play centre half?


with his size and lack of mobility these days perhaps playing him in goal is the best option
 
Being a club legend he is i can definitely understand this rooneyism. I would suggest he should rather leave with dignity to another competitive team having a sound manager if possible. I dont want him to go to any other lesser league. Maybe spain would be good or maybe milan. But deep down in my heart i want him to stay with us, being shadow striker to rashford. His experience and spot kicks are still very useful for us.
 
All players decline when they reach a certain age, though it varies by how much. Can anyone remember a top class player who has declined as much as him in such a short space of time considering his age. The last year he has gone from a decent premiership player to one who would struggle in the Championship, & only just 31.
 
All players decline when they reach a certain age, though it varies by how much. Can anyone remember a top class player who has declined as much as him in such a short space of time considering his age. The last year he has gone from a decent premiership player to one who would struggle in the Championship, & only just 31.

Was it sudden? There's a reason the fan base has been split on him for seasons. Its been a slow deteriation for me, he just hit the point where his experience can't make up for what he's lost.

This article is probably just Wilkins knowing such a claim would gain views
 
Was it sudden? There's a reason the fan base has been split on him for seasons. Its been a slow deteriation for me, he just hit the point where his experience can't make up for what he's lost.

This article is probably just Wilkins knowing such a claim would gain views

He reached the point where the reputation was better than the performances, for a while it was trotted out that "class is permanent" then followed by "he's better at 9/10/8 or 6" but the REALITY is his best form is a minimum of 4/5 years ago. Were you to graph his performances ,average score etc, then i would think he went from an average of 7.2 followed by 6.8 (SAF's last season), 6.5 (Moyes) 6.1 /5.5 and this season under 5. So in my view he hasnt gone downhill quickly, he just deteriorated at a very "young" age.

That said Fabregas/Aguero etc both seem to have had their best season at 25/26 so is it even that unusual? Its my personal opinion that the old adage of peak being 28-30 is long gone, i'd now say 24-26 is peak in this age of super athletes.
 
Was it sudden? There's a reason the fan base has been split on him for seasons. Its been a slow deteriation for me, he just hit the point where his experience can't make up for what he's lost.

This article is probably just Wilkins knowing such a claim would gain views

I know he has been declining for awhile from his peak, but the point I was making was how it has rapidly changed from a year ago. I expect Mourinho wasn't expected him to be this bad when he took over.
 
I know he has been declining for awhile from his peak, but the point I was making was how it has rapidly changed from a year ago. I expect Mourinho wasn't expected him to be this bad when he took over.

He absolutely did. The first thing he did was set about destabilising his position as untouchable captain and centre of the United universe.
 
All players decline when they reach a certain age, though it varies by how much. Can anyone remember a top class player who has declined as much as him in such a short space of time considering his age. The last year he has gone from a decent premiership player to one who would struggle in the Championship, & only just 31.
It's not just about age, it's about the mileage too. I liked him when he was a good player, but to be honest he always was more an energetic player with a bit of class than a true class player. His first touch was always dependent on form, and if you're old and slow you really need a solid first touch.
 
He absolutely did. The first thing he did was set about destabilising his posit5ion as untouchable captain and centre of the United universe.
True this because 3/4 of Mourinho's signings were in positions Rooney claimed as his best when he shat the bed in either - we signed a 10, a 9 and an 8. Those are the positions he alternately hid in when he got too exposed during the last four years and Jose saw through it.
 
Yeah, and how comes our second top scorer of all time never gets a game any more? Someone get Bobby Charlton a kit.
 
He looks so stiff and struggling to turn or move out there. Like watching a punch drunk former world champion boxer.
 
He looks so stiff and struggling to turn or move out there. Like watching a punch drunk former world champion boxer.

Moved a hell of a lot quicker than Michael Keane did to get that goal.
 
This guy does my head in. Spouts some absolute bollocks. Got to be one of the worst pundits around.
 
Not sure how broadcasting works and if the pundits are the same, but the ones here refuse to give him any criticism. During the game when he fell on his ass and messed up that great scoring opportunity they didn't say anything, but when he controls the ball they're harping on about how he still has football at the top level left in him etc. It really is baffling. It's as if players who are arguably legends of the game (whether or not he is, is up to you) can't be criticised.

Think he'll come in handy from now until the end of the season, but if it weren't for so many injuries, he wouldn't be close to the first team and it's upsetting to think of how far he's fallen. I expect him to be gone next season, hopefully he gets a proper send off.
 
Can we actually sacrifice him at the alter please, lets see if the fatty pleases the football gods, might actually be of some use for once.
 
great defensive work by rooney *claps slowly*

i guess i have to give legit credit, he did surprise me when he scored the penalty. Would have put money on him missing.
 
If anything he's been treated to well. Should've been shipped off in 13/14 when it was clear he was past it and Sir Alex had already begun edging him out.

He's had some nice moments since, and I was happy he and Carrick got an FA cup, and I do still like him, but I just think Fergie had the timing spot on in regards to selling him.