Rooney. The way he ended with us blinds many people to how great he was.
Rooney Vs Rio
- Thread starter rcoobc
- Start date
He really was. He had more to his game than just goals and assists as well. Rooney was in some seasons the best United player in a much better team than RVP. It’s easier to look good with inferior players as well.
I have a soft spot for peak Rooney. He was so awesome.
Rooney.
Was the best defender in 2008 or was that Vidic?
Was Rooney the 2nd best attacker?
Was Rooney the 2nd best attacker?
Rio was better in 08, but I thought Vidic was better from 2009 to 2011.
Both awesome signings.
I'll go Rooney. He's our record goalscorer. He's still underappreciated by plenty of our fans.
I'll go Rooney. He's our record goalscorer. He's still underappreciated by plenty of our fans.
Rooney. What a tough choice.
Heart says Rio, head says Rooney.
Isn't the right answer both? Both greats at totally different things.
I thought Rio was the best in the world in his position for a period of time, never had that with Rooney. It was the potential that most excited me about him as a player. Not to say he wasn't fantastic. Attackers are the ones you tend to remember though.
It's easier to be good in a great team, it's harder to turn that team that RVP transformed into title winners. It's why SAF signed him. One last hoorah.
Rooney wasn't often Uniteds best player over a season. He only won that award twice. He only won PFA award once. I think the other stuff, clouds your judgement. The running around stuff. That doesn't translate to being the best cf in the world. His stats never backed that up either, other than his one outstanding season. He was a great united player and a great signing. But he wasn't in Henry's class or Ronaldos.
I’m glad that both are now remembered fondly on here as the greats they were. Probably my two favourite players of all time outside of the academy graduates.
Who was better for us?
Head says Rio but heart says Rooney. Rooney at his peak just encapsulated everything I love about football.
Who was better for us?
Head says Rio but heart says Rooney. Rooney at his peak just encapsulated everything I love about football.
Very interesting observation. A defence of Vidic and Stam would have been better than the Vidic Rio partnership. I think Rio is a top class defender but also a bit over inflated by The British Press. Rooney was overshadowed by Ronaldo and Rooney very unselfishly played second fiddle to Ronaldo. Rooney at his peak can do anything Ronaldo did and I would say was a more complete player.
Both equal ball bags. Rio more so now since he has retired.
Very tough question. Ronaldo changed a lot of people’s perceptions about what a great career should look like, which probably shows Rooney in a negative light more than Rio for no other reason than they occupy the same positions.
Although when you think about it all he’s done is take his profession very seriously, it’s not a magic trick
Although when you think about it all he’s done is take his profession very seriously, it’s not a magic trick
I think Rio was the better player but unfortunately football has always been about the attacking players and their story and that makes Rooney the better signing. I don’t think people get what a huge name Rooney was. Even when he was woefully out of form, it was still all about Rooney. Opponents would talk about him as if he were still the best. After Cristiano he was still our biggest name until he left.
Rooney. Even when Ronaldo eclipsed him as the best attacking player in our title-winning seasons, Rooney was just as important to our overall play. He still came up with plenty of big goals/assists to win us games, and was a great team player to get the best out of Ronaldo, Ruud, Saha, Giggs, Park, Tevez, RVP. I think a lot of young fans could relate to rooney because he played like a kid, or a fan that got the opportunity to play for United. The tracking back, aggression, wild tackles, wild celebrations, the passion. Peak rooney was what football was all about for me. I don't care if he wasn't in whatever team of the year award
Rooney.
People forget Rios first few years with us where he wasn’t all that. It was only when Vidic came that he was dominant. Where as Rooney only faded in his latter years.
People forget Rios first few years with us where he wasn’t all that. It was only when Vidic came that he was dominant. Where as Rooney only faded in his latter years.
It's really hard to compare them for obvious reasons. But I think that there have been more forwards of Rooney's caliber than there were defenders of Rio's in this century. I'd kill for any one of them right now 
Tough one, but I'm going with Rio. It's close, though.
Ferguson didn't sign RvP to get himself one last title win, if that's what you're getting at. The decision to retire was taken months after RvP had been signed, during the final season.
Rooney easily.
Some of you lot are too harsh on rooney.
Uniteds top scorer of all time and didnt play striker regurlar englands all time top scorer and a shit load of trophies and people are saying he didnt fulfil his potential.
Uniteds top scorer of all time and didnt play striker regurlar englands all time top scorer and a shit load of trophies and people are saying he didnt fulfil his potential.
Reading this thread and I cant believe there is any other answer but Rooney. Do you guys realize some of our best League years occured with Rooney? Im guessing we are still mad at him requesting to play for city. I just hope 50 years from now we remember him like the Legend he is.
Rio. You don’t build a house without a foundation.
House wasnt stable till vidic got there.
We've had loads of great attackers, and at some stages they were colleagues.
For me the difference is, Rio stood out as the very best amongst a really strong pack - our defence back then were all world class. In the equivalent attacking 'golden age' Rooney was good, but he was matched by Ronaldo (and surpassed at times too).
For me the difference is, Rio stood out as the very best amongst a really strong pack - our defence back then were all world class. In the equivalent attacking 'golden age' Rooney was good, but he was matched by Ronaldo (and surpassed at times too).
Both. But forced to choose, Rooney.
Rooney. 250 goals for us. Won everything.
It's a very tough choice. I'm edging towards Rooney. Both signings were also important in the sense that we kept them away from our rivals. Absolutely top quality players during their pomp, both world class. Ah, the days of having world class players..
I’ve always thought its harder to find a world class striker than a world class defender, both are great but I value Rooney higher. Unfortunately his decline on the last years makes many here forgett just how damn good he was.
Slight tangent, but it's amazing when you think about the quality of players we added to the team in the early to mid 2000s. RVN in 2001 (and Veron although he underwhelmed,) Rio in 2002, Ronaldo in 2003, Rooney in 2004, Van de Sar in 2005, Evra and Vidic in 2006.
Rooney. I was over the moon when we signed him. Such an explosive player.
Rooney, as much as I loved having Rio playing for us, for me its not even close.
Rooney.
Rioney for me.
The house might not have been stable but Rio was. We won the title in his first season.
Man, it has got to be the white pele. I know he was shit for us starting from 2014, but the 10 years before? he was a monster.
Love Rio, but Wazza all the way.
Love Rio, but Wazza all the way.
Rooney - more impacts and contributions.
I like Rio more though.
I like Rio more though.
Love both of them, Legends and one of the best in their position in the lasts 20 years. If I have to pick one, it will be Rooney. Not arguing he was better than Rio or had more impact than Rio but I loved the way he used to play till 2009/2010.
People go on and on about Firmino when Rooney used to play the same role at better level for years. Superb work rate, passing, playing multiple position and still end up with many goals and assists.
People go on and on about Firmino when Rooney used to play the same role at better level for years. Superb work rate, passing, playing multiple position and still end up with many goals and assists.