Wayne Rooney's legacy

[El Jefe]

Nobody gives a flying feck about the PFA team of the year.

He scored 23 goals and got 15 assists, a goal or assist every 121 minutes. Anyone who actually watched us back then knows that season was just about the best we've ever been going forward, and it was every bit as much about him as it was Ronaldo that year.

Just because you looked on wikipedia and saw gaps between games he scored in doesn't make his season 'inconsistent', for christ's sake.

Of course when reality doesn't match up with you're narrative

As for the second bolded part, I'm convinced you must be Coleen so there's no need to take you serious anymore . Ronaldo was easily the best player in the team and league that year, Rooney didn't come close.

 

[UnofficialDevil]

There really are some clowns on here. I said he had an inconsistent season that had excellent high points and long barren spells, what part about that isn't true?

At the end of the season 8 of our players made the team of the year (rightly so). Rooney didn't make I wonder why.

There is only one clown here the one trying to play down one of our greatest ever players. Hell get a statue at old traford and you can cry all you want.

 

[El Jefe]

There is only one clown here the one trying to play down one of our greatest ever players. Hell get a statue at old traford and you can cry all you want.

 

[stevoc]

A tarnished legacy for me.

We start with the obvious that on his day he was a truly top footballer. There were times when he scored at will and did so in spectacular, ferocious fashion. Club record in goals scored and he has more than a few medals to his name.

But he held the club hostage not once but twice. Early in his career he was reckless with his petulance and late in his career he was rather poor, arguably for 3 maybe even 4 seasons. 3 poor seasons will tarnish a legacy, but add his hostage-taking and his petulance and suddenly what a brilliant career looks more like a checkered career.

How much better could Rooney have been had he kept some composure, even though that ferocity was part of what drove him to be the brilliant player that he was? I'd say a lot.

So perhaps the question isn't how great he Wayne Rooney. He was great. The better question is how much better could he have been had he looked after himself, mentally and physically, the way Ronaldo did? For me, had he done so he'd be in the same conversation as Pele and Maradona, if not Messi.

A shame.

He didn't though not according to Fergie anyway. SAF maintains he doesn't think the 2010 episode was about money. He genuinely wanted to leave, he told the club of his decision in July/August and then didn't speak publicly about it until Fergie did in October.

He arguably played the game in 2014 for his next contract fair enough but so did the likes Keane, Ferdinand and DeGea among others. They don't seem to take shit for ''holding the club hostage''.

 

[stevoc]

Sad day for me when he broke Sir Bobby Charlton's goal-scoring record for Manchester United, but i'd probably have said that even if he hadn't flirted outrageously with both City and Chelsea and not ignored the great advice he was given early in his career that if he didn't keep on top of his fitness he'd be finished at the top level by his late 20's because of his body shape.

The City flirting, even if his reasons were kind of valid did sour it for me. I was always a bit frustrated with him, he was brilliant for us, and I always had the nagging feeling he could have been even more, which is mad to say about our leading goalscorer of all time but I still stand by it. His decline was quite steep and seeing him play every week as a shadow of his former self was painful.

He's a Utd legend for sure though, and I think his standing with us will only grow as time goes by.

Maybe one of you lads can explain what others don't seem prepared to. But how exactly did he flirt with City?

Did he ever actually say he wanted to go to City publicly then or in the 12 years since?

Has anyone else involved confirmed there were talks or some substance to that story beyond tabloid bollocks?

I'm convinced it's a myth thats been repeated so many times that it's became fact for most United fans.

 

[Class of 63]

Maybe one of you lads can explain what others don't seem prepared to. But how exactly did he flirt with City?

Did he ever actually say he wanted to go to City publicly then or in the 12 years since?

Has anyone else involved confirmed there were talked or some substance to that story beyond tabloid bollocks?

I'm convinced it's a myth thats been repeated so many times that it's became fact for most United fans.

I can't remember if he actually came out and said he wanted to go to City, but he did hand in a transfer request(Wayne confirmed that at the time)and the only club in England(he was never moving abroad) that could match his ambition, and pay him the wages he wanted was Man City, Chelsea was a no-no because of the family stuff that only came to light(on Coleen's side)when he threatened to hand in a second transfer request.

My niece(a freelance interpreter)was working in Manchester at the time and said even people like herself with no interest in football were talking about it, it wasn't the normal "we're signing your best player ner ner ner ner" nonsense, I think it was widely excepted in the City it was only a signature away from happening, and if it hadn't been for the pure genius of SAF(the video is on a previous page)it would almost certainly have happened.

 

[GifLord]

Maybe one of you lads can explain what others don't seem prepared to. But how exactly did he flirt with City?

Did he ever actually say he wanted to go to City publicly then or in the 12 years since?

Has anyone else involved confirmed there were talked or some substance to that story beyond tabloid bollocks?

I'm convinced it's a myth thats been repeated so many times that it's became fact for most United fans.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/oct/18/wayne-rooney-manchester-city-united

Also this from 2013 - not about city but his transfer request
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/foo...ansfer-David-Moyes-Manchester-United-Man-City

 

[Needham]

Don't see Rooney as primarily selfish at all. Best English central forward player of his generation agreeing to play wide left for the sake of team shape is another of his legacies.

 

[stevoc]

I can't remember if he actually came out and said he wanted to go to City, but he did hand in a transfer request(Wayne confirmed that at the time)and the only club in England(he was never moving abroad) that could match his ambition, and pay him the wages he wanted was Man City, Chelsea was a no-no because of the family stuff that only came to light(on Coleen's side)when he threatened to hand in a second transfer request.

My niece(a freelance interpreter)was working in Manchester at the time and said even people like herself with no interest in football were talking about it, it wasn't the normal "we're signing your best player ner ner ner ner" nonsense, I think it was widely excepted in the City it was only a signature away from happening, and if it hadn't been for the pure genius of SAF(the video is on a previous page)it would almost certainly have happened.

He didn't hand a transfer request in though mate not in 2010 anyway, Rooney said that at the time and it was confirmed in Fergies book. That summer when United began contract negotiations Rooney and his agent informed them he wouldn't be singing a new contract. So fair enough maybe it's semantics but telling the club you won't be renewing your contract and this idea fans have of a player charging into the managers office and slamming down a transfer request aren't exactly the same thing. Players in the modern game never actually put in transfer requests because they end up losing money through bonuses.

If you buy Fergusons view on this episode and that it wasn't about money and that Rooney genuinely wanted to move for ambition then lets be honest he was never moving to City in 2010. They hadn't even managed to qualify for the Champions League at that point or won a trophy. Rooney publicly said that he had wanted to move abroad when/if he left United. United/Ferguson would have never sold him to City everyone knew this, including Rooney and his agent. It was never going to tabloid bollocks.

So as i said mate beyond tabloid bollocks and third party anecdotal hearsay theres been no one involved that has confirmed there was actually anything in this story. Its been 10 years you'd think someone would have commented on it by now but not a peep from anyone on either side. For me that points towards it being nonsense.

Basically Rooney wants to leave United + City are United's bitter rivals and rich = Lets link Rooney to City that will get a shit tonne of clicks.

 

[stevoc]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/oct/18/wayne-rooney-manchester-city-united

So nothing beyond a ''senior figure'' at City saying they'll monitor the situation now that they know he wants to leave United. So basically if he'd left they would have been interested, hardly earth shattering news.

Is that as concrete as that story got? No direct quotes from anyone involved?



This is a solid quote that confirms theres something in a transfer story.

"I think that this situation is clear – nothing is a secret anymore," he said. "The official bid is just about a certain amount of money and doesn't involve players.

"We want the player. We made the bid and now we have nothing more to say. Now it's up to Manchester United."

Asked if Chelsea had made any other bids, Mourinho said: "No, and we won't." Asked whether it is now "Rooney or bust", Mourinho said: "Yes."

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/jul/17/wayne-rooney-chelsea-transfer-manchester-united

 

[TRUERED89]

Wasn't the most eye pleasing player? He was a joy to watch. So many fantastic moments. I loved watching him play.

Do the caf even watch games, seriously ? Wasn't eye pleasing what the feck ? You cannot score 250+ goals and just be average.

 

[Class of 63]

He didn't hand a transfer request in though mate not in 2010 anyway, Rooney said that at the time and it was confirmed in Fergies book. That summer when United began contract negotiations Rooney and his agent informed them he wouldn't be singing a new contract. So fair enough maybe it's semantics but telling the club you won't be renewing your contract and this idea fans have of a player charging into the managers office and slamming down a transfer request aren't exactly the same thing. Players in the modern game never actually put in transfer requests because they end up losing money through bonuses.

If you buy Fergusons view on this episode and that it wasn't about money and that Rooney genuinely wanted to move for ambition then lets be honest he was never moving to City in 2010. They hadn't even managed to qualify for the Champions League at that point or won a trophy. Rooney publicly said that he had wanted to move abroad when/if he left United. United/Ferguson would have never sold him to City everyone knew this, including Rooney and his agent. It was never going to tabloid bollocks.

So as i said mate beyond tabloid bollocks and third party anecdotal hearsay theres been no one involved that has confirmed there was actually anything in this story. Its been 10 years you'd think someone would have commented on it by now but not a peep from anyone on either side. For me that points towards it being nonsense.

Basically Rooney wants to leave United + City are United's bitter rivals and rich = Lets link Rooney to City that will get a shit tonne of clicks.

He didn't hand in a second transfer request(SAF jumped the gun on that and half apologised later) when he was linked with Chelsea but he did say in an interview(maybe post-match)on MUTV that if he was forced to continue playing in midfield he may as well hand in a transfer request(I remember screaming at the TV at the time for him to feck off then!), and this was only a few days after telling anybody that would listen(think it was after a game against Sunderland)that he loved playing there and it was a position he wanted to concentrate on.

That and the City episode(whatever the truth)finished Rooney with a lot of reds, and rightly so, some were/are more forgiving which is fine.

 

[stevoc]

He didn't hand in a second transfer request(SAF jumped the gun on that and half apologised later) when he was linked with Chelsea but he did say in an interview(maybe post-match)on MUTV that if he was forced to continue playing in midfield he may as well hand in a transfer request(I remember screaming at the TV at the time for him to feck off then!), and this was only a few days after telling anybody that would listen(think it was after a game against Sunderland)that he loved playing there and it was a position he wanted to concentrate on.

Yeah he never handed in a transfer request in 2013 either thats right. The 2013 Chelsea link was very real and he didn't handle himself the best. If someone wanted to criticize Rooney for that fair enough. Ferguson could have handled it a bit better as well in my honest opinion. But then going public worked to keep him at United 3 years earlier so maybe he was trying to help Moyes out on that front.

That and the City episode(whatever the truth)finished Rooney with a lot of reds, and rightly so, some were/are more forgiving which is fine.

I still firmly think the City link was tabloid nonsense and nothing more. Something would have came out by now in a book or an interview to confirm it, there hasn't been a peep. It's fine to criticize and dislike certain players for their behaviour and actions. God knows Rooney's done enough unprofessional and shady shit on and off the pitch to warrant it. But this is one where i think Rooney has been harshly treated for something he didn't actually do.

 

[GifLord]

Yeah he never handed in a transfer request in 2013 either thats right. The 2013 Chelsea link was very real and he didn't handle himself the best. If someone wanted to criticize Rooney for that fair enough. Ferguson could have handled it a bit better as well in my honest opinion. But then going public worked to keep him at United 3 years earlier so maybe he was trying to help Moyes out on that front.



I still firmly think the City link was tabloid nonsense and nothing more. Something would have came out by now in a book or an interview to confirm it, there hasn't been a peep. It's fine to criticize and dislike certain players for their behaviour and actions. God knows Rooney's done enough unprofessional and shady shit on and off the pitch to warrant it. But this is one where i think Rooney has been harshly treated for something he didn't actually do.

Didn't Fergie say at the bus parade in 2013 that Rooney wanted to leave?

 

[Class of 63]

I still firmly think the City link was tabloid nonsense and nothing more. Something would have came out by now in a book or an interview to confirm it, there hasn't been a peep. It's fine to criticize and dislike certain players for their behaviour and actions. God knows Rooney's done enough unprofessional and shady shit on and off the pitch to warrant it. But this is one where i think Rooney has been harshly treated for something he didn't actually do.

Maybe everybody involved has been gagged

Trying to remember how it all played out, but Rooney saying to the press 6 months before he told the club(United) he wouldn't sign a new contract that he would never sign for City was almost a challenge to them to make him change his mind and i'm convinced they did just that by offering to make him the clubs highest earner, knowing United would be reluctant/unable to match it - in October when he refused a new contract he cited the clubs lack of ambition though what the hell he thought the club could do to stop Ronaldo(an agreement in place to leave) and Tevez(a grade 'A' twat)leaving the previous season I don't know, and why not mention that in April?

 

[stevoc]

Didn't Fergie say at the bus parade in 2013 that Rooney wanted to leave?

Yeah i think so but i don't think he ever handed in an actual transfer request. I think the version of events was Rooney and Ferguson were having a discussion about his playing time and Rooney had a strop and said maybe he should move on or something along those lines.

 

[stevoc]

Maybe everybody involved has been gagged

Trying to remember how it all played out, but Rooney saying to the press 6 months before he told the club(United) he wouldn't sign a new contract that he would never sign for City was almost a challenge to them to make him change his mind and i'm convinced they did just that by offering to make him the clubs highest earner, knowing United would be reluctant/unable to match it - in October when he refused a new contract he cited the clubs lack of ambition though what the hell he thought the club could do to stop Ronaldo(an agreement in place to leave) and Tevez(a grade 'A' twat)leaving the previous season I don't know, and why not mention that in April?

Thats where the timeline seems to be getting screwed up lots of people have the impression Rooney walked in and told Ferguson he wanted to go a week before he signed a new contract. According to Fergies book when Gill started talks over a new contract in early August 2010 Rooney told him he wouldn't be signing a new contract until he got assurances about squad investment. These talks continued and went no where really, they started again in October with Rooney still wanting assurances about squad investment. When Gill obviously wouldn't give them Rooney again said he wouldn't be signing a new contract. And that brings us up to Ferguson getting annoyed the fans were singing Rooney's name in a 2-2 draw with West Brom i think where he was on the bench. And then going public with it shortly after.

I don't think his problem was necessarily that United sold Ronaldo and Tevez left it was more that they weren't really replaced. Apparently he waited most of the summer to see who the club would sign and wasn't impressed with Hernandez and Smalling. Thats when he fancied a crack at being Uniteds chief scout by suggesting we should have signed Ozil etc.

 

[Raees]

With his talent level - should have won a Ballon D’or during his career. The initial injuries killed him as a player and whilst for a more professional player they would have been a mere setback with his lack of discipline it was allowed to snowball into an issue which meant he would never be the same player again.

Up to 2006 - he honestly had the world at his feet, past that point he was a excellent player who had world class patches but never touched the heights you’d expect of an all time great footballer - which is what he should have been aiming for.

By the standards of your average premier league footballer he obviously had an exceptional career but Rooney should have been Top 3 of all time English footballer and had the talent to be the best footballer outside of the Messi and Ronaldo duopoly.

 

[The holy trinity 68]

Denis Law has a statue outside Old Trafford and he actually left United for City. Scoring the goal that send us down to division 2.

Keane threatened to leave. Then he actually got sacked by the club for his poor behaviour and respect toward SAF and the squad.

De Gea was about to leave if not for a fax machine and is now one of the highest paid players, and would have left otherwise.

Yet none of these get any stick and won’t have hurt their legacy.

Yet Rooney gets a load of stick. Get a grip with your double standards people.

 

[The holy trinity 68]

With his talent level - should have won a Ballon D’or during his career. The initial injuries killed him as a player and whilst for a more professional player they would have been a mere setback with his lack of discipline it was allowed to snowball into an issue which meant he would never be the same player again.

Up to 2006 - he honestly had the world at his feet, past that point he was a excellent player who had world class patches but never touched the heights you’d expect of an all time great footballer - which is what he should have been aiming for.

By the standards of your average premier league footballer he obviously had an exceptional career but Rooney should have been Top 3 of all time English footballer and had the talent to be the best footballer outside of the Messi and Ronaldo duopoly.

Arguably he is. Unless we just say the best 3 ever are the World Cup winners. Rooney had more ability than probably all English players, especially at his best. He was unplayable.

 

[Josh 76]

Denis Law has a statue outside Old Trafford and he actually left United for City. Scoring the goal that send us down to division 2.

Keane threatened to leave. Then he actually got sacked by the club for his poor behaviour and respect toward SAF and the squad.

De Gea was about to leave if not for a fax machine and is now one of the highest paid players, and would have left otherwise.

Yet none of these get any stick and won’t have hurt their legacy.

Yet Rooney gets a load of stick. Get a grip with your double standards people.

Just to add to this list, didn't Steven Gerrard do the same at Liverpool (Chelsea saga) and is a legend over their
And he won no league titles

 

[Raees]

Arguably he is. Unless we just say the best 3 ever are the World Cup winners. Rooney had more ability than probably all English players, especially at his best. He was unplayable.

He doesn’t get ahead of Banks, Charlton and Moore. All three are all time greats on an international level not just in the English game.. Rooney doesn’t come near which is a shame as ability wise he had a chance.

Banks is one of the top 3 keepers of all time, Moore like wise in terms of ball playing CBs and Charlton is the most talented and decorated English player of all time with only George Best comparable in terms of British and Irish talent.

 

[MrEleson]

You said that 06/07 was 'Another very inconsistent season' for Rooney, which either means you didn't watch us that year, or you've since had some kind of head injury.

Rooney was definitely inconsistent in 06/07. He had some great displays but wasn’t consistently good throughout like Ronaldo (no one was) and I even remember early on in the season where pundits were wondering whether he was still recovering from the metartarsal injury sustained in the previous season. Then he hit a hat-trick against Bolton around Oct. 2006.

Drogba was easily the best striker in the league that year. Rooney had a lot of frustrated, toothless displays that season despite scoring 23 goals in all comps so I fully agree with the OPs analysis.

 

[Samid]

Watching his 'PL 100 club' goal show on Sky right now. What a fecking ridiculous player.

 

[Sandikan]

Maybe one of you lads can explain what others don't seem prepared to. But how exactly did he flirt with City?

Did he ever actually say he wanted to go to City publicly then or in the 12 years since?

Has anyone else involved confirmed there were talks or some substance to that story beyond tabloid bollocks?

I'm convinced it's a myth thats been repeated so many times that it's became fact for most United fans.

It's people putting the transfer request and who was the biggest rivals at the time together as fact.

And often the same people celebrate Ronaldo, who DID leave, and abuse Rooney,who DIDN'T. That's weird.

 

[Foxbatt]

Rooney certainly a legend for Manchester United. Yes he regressed later on but I felt he was carrying too much pressure on him all by himself.
He won everything for us and very unselfish player on the pitch. He played for the team.
I remember his goal line clearance racing from the CF position to do it.

 

[Abhinav]

One of the greatest to put the red shirt on. If it hadn’t been for the contract controversy, he would be widely regarded so.

What a player though, had it all, pace, power, skill, goals, passes and above all, a very selfless player on the pitch. The balance he brought to any team meant he would have been one of the first names on the team-sheet for almost all managers in the world.

 

[DRM]

One of the greatest to put the red shirt on. If it hadn’t been for the contract controversy, he would be widely regarded so.

What a player though, had it all, pace, power, skill, goals, passes and above all, a very selfless player on the pitch. The balance he brought to any team meant he would have been one of the first names on the team-sheet for almost all managers in the world.

Agree with this.
I still remember his debut for England as a 17 year old. I'd never seen anything like it, I can't remember who England played but the opposition players were frightened of him! Imagine that, a 17 year old boy, playing for the England national team, scaring the living daylights out of seasoned internationals!!

 

[RUCK4444]

It's people putting the transfer request and who was the biggest rivals at the time together as fact.

And often the same people celebrate Ronaldo, who DID leave, and abuse Rooney,who DIDN'T. That's weird.

I agree, Wayne always got the rough end of the stick compared to Ronaldo.

Ronaldo behaved far worse. Asking to leave for Madrid, the wink saga getting Rooney sent off, saying it was like he was held captive at the club.

Rooney basically played hardball for a larger contract which every player with a certain status does, except because it was Rooney it had to be made into a huge issue.

Would Madrid fans discard Ramos’ legend status because he ‘supposedly agreed a move to United’ when he wanted a new contract?
How many times was Ronaldo linked with a return to United only to gain a new contract? They are still regarded as legends at Real. It’s part of the contract dance that is pushed by the agents as much as the players.

I’m a huge fan of both players, Ronaldo is the better player but Rooney is the bigger United Legend, no doubt about that.

 

[jem]

There were couple of things which would have done some damage to his legacy:

- overhyped by English media at the beginning, and never quite live up to the hype
- early comparison with Ronaldo, which fell off the cliff later on as their career progress
- during the era of goals, stats, numbers and efficiency (era of Messi/Ronaldo), as a forward player, he didn't score enough in many of those (except 2 season where he scored 34 goals) , consistent 15-19 goals per season is a decent return but not that great.
- never have a year where he dominates the league, similar to the likes of Suarez, Bale, Salah etc
- Flirting around with City during later stage of his career, and falling out with Fergie
- His decline when he is only at 30-31, with big contract too

All in all, he is still a Man Utd legend though. During his peak he was a very good player, and he has many consistent years at the club too. I would definitely put him in my Man Utd squad of the decade, or something.

Agree with most of that except I'd say his 2010 season was dominating. He was talismanic that season, especially given that we'd lost Ronaldo and Tevez, and Berbatov was very underwhelming that season.

 

[mnoogood]

It took a lot of time for sir Alex to make Rooney a player. And he succeeded, but a player only for Man Utd.
Now, Manchester United will have to wait for the new great manager. And it cannot happen until 5 to 10 years after sir Alex is gone.
Top 10 in Premiership is acceptable.

 

[stevoc]

It's people putting the transfer request and who was the biggest rivals at the time together as fact.

And often the same people celebrate Ronaldo, who DID leave, and abuse Rooney,who DIDN'T. That's weird.

Yeah i maintain he's been very unfairly judged by some for that whole episode when theres little or no evidence he actually did have any connection with City. People read the headlines in the Sun and the Mail at the time and it's coloured their opinion. In truth from Fergie going public to him signing a new contract it was only a few days. If anyone was to look back objectively he would have never went to City back then they hadn't won a trophy in over 30 years and weren't even in the Champions League for feck sake and he was arguably the 3rd best player in the world the season before. In my opinon had he left it would have been to Spain.

And yeah it's double standards with Ronaldo who actually did feck off, and then proceeded to use United (publicly and privately) about 4-5 times to get himself fat new contracts.

 

[Sandikan]

Yeah i maintain he's been very unfairly judged by some for that whole episode when theres little or no evidence he actually did have any connection with City. People read the headlines in the Sun and the Mail at the time and it's coloured their opinion. In truth from Fergie going public to him signing a new contract it was only a few days. If anyone was to look back objectively he would have never went to City back then they hadn't won a trophy in over 30 years and weren't even in the Champions League for feck sake and he was arguably the 3rd best player in the world the season before. In my opinon had he left it would have been to Spain.

And yeah it's double standards with Ronaldo who actually did feck off, and then proceeded to use United (publicly and privately) about 4-5 times to get himself fat new contracts.

Rooney obviously just over played his hand with the usual games played to get a bumper new contract.

Then was masterfully played by Fergie.

That aside who knows what extra went on.

The bit i don't understand is how people abuse moyes for giving him another contract rather than selling him to a rival.

Having seen the abuse he copped for the back room staff clear out,imagine if he'd turfed out the top player as his first move!

 

[JJ12]

Anyone that subscribes to The Athletic read the piece on him about his time at DC United? Really describes a down to earth Rooney.

 

[Pughnichi]

Drogba, RVP and Torres? Jesus christ

I’ll admit to just not liking the footballer. He was washed up for us 3 yrs before Mourinho finally, thankfully got rid. Said an awful lot that he quickly lost his place at Everton.

longevity got him the record.

You shouldn’t be too quick to laugh off Drogba and Torres. Both were unbelievable. Torres at Liverpool reached almost unplayable levels. Chelsea move clearly didn’t work for him though. And Drogba was an absolute ruthless machine.

 

[Irwin99]

I always remember the smart money would have been on Rooney becoming the best player in the world rather than Ronaldo in their first two seasons together. Rooney's 05-06 season in particular was an improvement on what had been a really impressive first season the year before. That injury vs Chelsea at the end of the season and him being rushed back for the FA cup can't have helped him. It's fair to say he had a few setbacks that halted him when things were going really great (the injury against Bayern being another)

He's still a legend in my eyes. One of my favourite Rooney goals was just before he was about to be subbed in a match vs Chelsea in 08. You can tell he was in absolute agony and had to get off the pitch but he sprinted on to a bad pass near Chelsea's box and buried a shot past Chec. Even in his celebration he looked in so much pain but he just wanted to score that goal

 

[buckooo1978]

I always remember the smart money would have been on Rooney becoming the best player in the world rather than Ronaldo in their first two seasons together. Rooney's 05-06 season in particular was an improvement on what had been a really impressive first season the year before. That injury vs Chelsea at the end of the season and him being rushed back for the FA cup can't have helped him. It's fair to say he had a few setbacks that halted him when things were going really great (the injury against Bayern being another)

He's still a legend in my eyes. One of my favourite Rooney goals was just before he was about to be subbed in a match vs Chelsea in 08. You can tell he was in absolute agony and had to get off the pitch but he sprinted on to a bad pass near Chelsea's box and buried a shot past Chec. Even in his celebration he looked in so much pain but he just wanted to score that goal

great post and agree 100% particularly about him having more potential than Ronaldo back in 04/05

a fantastic player who starred in arguably our best ever side

 

[meamth]

You don't have to be a United fanatic to be the club legend.

He's a scouse, played for us, became a legend. What more do you want?

Just because one transfer request in the money age of football?

It's easier to be a United loyal dog when united is the only money powerhouse. Not today, not anymore.

Rooney wrote his legendary feats in the club's history, nothing will change that, and he should be treated as a club legend. There will always be his legacy in this club.

 

[stevoc]

Rooney obviously just over played his hand with the usual games played to get a bumper new contract.

Then was masterfully played by Fergie.

That aside who knows what extra went on.

The bit i don't understand is how people abuse moyes for giving him another contract rather than selling him to a rival.

Having seen the abuse he copped for the back room staff clear out,imagine if he'd turfed out the top player as his first move!

Yeah Moyes as much as i dislike him couldn't do anything but keep him. If he'd have went to Chelsea and smashed it, it would have been terrible business.

 

[stevoc]

I’ll admit to just not liking the footballer. He was washed up for us 3 yrs before Mourinho finally, thankfully got rid. Said an awful lot that he quickly lost his place at Everton.

longevity got him the record.

You shouldn’t be too quick to laugh off Drogba and Torres. Both were unbelievable. Torres at Liverpool reached almost unplayable levels. Chelsea move clearly didn’t work for him though. And Drogba was an absolute ruthless machine.

Both Drogba and Torres were fine players on their day. But both were wildly inconsistent and their peaks didn't last long.

Drogba is overrated by many, for an out and out striker to have played as many games as he did for a team like Chelsea. And over such a long period and to have only scored more than 20 goals in a season twice is poor in my opinion.

Torres is another one who despite playing for two top teams in England as an out and out striker over 8-9 years. Only managed more than 20 goals 2-3 times. Though to be fair injuries did play a part there but again poor.

I would describe neither as a machine.