Has obviously been great for United and performed at the highest level for mamy years, has scored a lot of goals (dont hope he takes the record though) and is obviously one of our greatest players. I just dont have any legendary feelings with him, I dont know if it's his previous contract isses with the club, considering to join City, or the fact that I dont think that he was as good as other legends, or the fact that he's been awful for a long time. Even Rooney's best seasons, werent even comparable to RvP's, Ronaldo, or van Nistelrooy's imo, never mind Yorke-Cole, Best, Cantona and more. But you cant deny that he's still a great player and has achieved so much with this club.
A comprehensive look-back on Wayne Rooney's career
- Thread starter Mr Smith
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
Trying to force a move to two domestic rivals is what triggers the hate. I don't think it's got anything to do with money.
The special privelleges and indulgences he gets relative to his perfomances is another issue. Put him in the bench when he deserves it like last season and I don't think the hate would be that bad.
Trying to force through a move to City was never confirmed. It was paper talk. Also, Rooney never really said anything and never publicly voiced his displeasure or said he wanted to leave. Everything was done behind closed doors and both times it was Fergie who actually made it public. He may have wanted to leave but he stayed unlike Ronaldo who is still absolutely adored on here. I just never understand that.
He did release that statement. Which He basically stated his desire to leave and then said United weren't matching his ambitions. I know you want to desperately defend him,but let's not rewrite history . That happened.
I don't know why you keep bringing up Ronaldo. I think he's a great player,but I'm not particularly a fan of his either. I don't get why some people are so bothered by the fact that there is a large part of the United fanbase that will never have that deep affection for Rooney. It's not like he had deep affection for us either. This is a business relationship. A largely succesful one for the best part.
A legend without a shadow of doubt. Don't think we'll fully appreciate him until he's gone, as although he's slowed down now, he's a super talent.
ok. he served us years, paid a kings ransom in the process. Legendary status secured now his powers are fading. What do we owe him for the club to move forward? Football fans are fickle, do the business on the pitch all is forgiven, ultimately that's all we care about. His level has dropped, why is he bumped around the team like a dodgem car, shirt sales, sponsors? Wouldn't happen at any other top team across Europe
Had his career ended at 19 or 20, he'd probably be remembered in a similar vein to Duncan Edwards such was his talent and hype as a youngster. I've always thought his growing up coincided with the gradual loss of attacking adventure and perhaps naivety in Fergie's approach to the game.
As Sir Alex became more cynical and calculating in his tactics, mainly due to his frustration at not achieving more in Europe, Rooney's wild or free edge was reigned in and his wings clipped somewhat. That coupled with a number of badly timed injuries, the loss of pace and some bad advice/decision making off the field have resulted in a rather stark decline, but it hasn't been helped by this idea that he can recreate himself as a midfielder or deeper lying playmaker.
The reality is that Rooney doesn't have the positional or footballing discipline to play such a key role in modern formations. What made him great was exactly that lack of discipline or refusal to play by the rules. Expecting him to be something else now, as if because he's lost the pace and athleticism he had as a youngster, he should suddenly have developed a great spacial awareness and positional intelligence, isn't fair or worthwhile.
He was a great player for 4 or 5 years, a good player for 4 or 5 years and a fairly average one for 3 or 4 years. If he'd been good from 18-20, great from 21-26, good from 27=30 and average from 31-34, this wouldn't even be a conversation. Just because his years fell differently to most players, we shouldn't forget how bright he shone at his best.
The transfer business pissed me off, and will always leave his legacy somewhat tarnished, but he's still responsible for a few of my favourite United memories and he was a key, key part of the side that I consider the best United side I ever watched (06-08).
As Sir Alex became more cynical and calculating in his tactics, mainly due to his frustration at not achieving more in Europe, Rooney's wild or free edge was reigned in and his wings clipped somewhat. That coupled with a number of badly timed injuries, the loss of pace and some bad advice/decision making off the field have resulted in a rather stark decline, but it hasn't been helped by this idea that he can recreate himself as a midfielder or deeper lying playmaker.
The reality is that Rooney doesn't have the positional or footballing discipline to play such a key role in modern formations. What made him great was exactly that lack of discipline or refusal to play by the rules. Expecting him to be something else now, as if because he's lost the pace and athleticism he had as a youngster, he should suddenly have developed a great spacial awareness and positional intelligence, isn't fair or worthwhile.
He was a great player for 4 or 5 years, a good player for 4 or 5 years and a fairly average one for 3 or 4 years. If he'd been good from 18-20, great from 21-26, good from 27=30 and average from 31-34, this wouldn't even be a conversation. Just because his years fell differently to most players, we shouldn't forget how bright he shone at his best.
The transfer business pissed me off, and will always leave his legacy somewhat tarnished, but he's still responsible for a few of my favourite United memories and he was a key, key part of the side that I consider the best United side I ever watched (06-08).
At what point do we think he lost that pace, explosiveness and willingness to run with the ball? I think the injury that he rushed back on for the 2006 world cup may have been the turning point, but I might be remebering wrong.
He certainly lost some explosiveness after 2006 but I would say he changed to a different player after his injury against Bayern.
On a footballing level, he has had an up and down career at United, particularly the last couple of years, but i think overall its been beneficial for both sides. When he first signed, he lifted the whole place. That period from 2006-2009 was a joy to watch. I think it's unfair to say he hasn't lived up to his potential because the expectations were so high.
On a personal level, him holding the club to ransom and threatening to sign for city has tarnished him image. Not once, but twice. That reduced him from a legend to just another very good player to play for this great club, in my eyes. And when that's the case, if a player is no longer good enough, he deserves no sympathy, he should be moved on. I hope he improves under Jose, but if he doesn't, he should be nowhere near the starting line up.
On a personal level, him holding the club to ransom and threatening to sign for city has tarnished him image. Not once, but twice. That reduced him from a legend to just another very good player to play for this great club, in my eyes. And when that's the case, if a player is no longer good enough, he deserves no sympathy, he should be moved on. I hope he improves under Jose, but if he doesn't, he should be nowhere near the starting line up.
Said he might leave if he didn't get a better contract (to all intents and purposes), and that the club weren't ambitious enough in the transfer market. Which is exactly what Fergie said in 'Managing My Life', while still our manager.
Is Fergie not a legend?
If you want to argue that Rooney isn't a legend for footballing reasons, great. But if you're going to do it based on contract negotiations, then it seems a tad harsh to hold him to higher standards than others.
Yeah, he'll play anywhere, except midfield when he's trying to retrospectively justify a transfer request.
As far as his career goes, I've just felt that he never really improved as a player, and he was as good at 18 as he was at 25.
As far as his career goes, I've just felt that he never really improved as a player, and he was as good at 18 as he was at 25.
Personally I'm not convinced he ever genuinely wanted to leave but such are the modern football negotiation methods he and his agent were happy to play chicken with the club in the most public of ways. Unfortunately for him, he and his scumbag agent were no match for the master and once saf had finished with him no United fan would've shed a tear had he actually left despite the fact he's one of the greatest to have ever played for us, and was probably our most important player at the time.
Moyes had the perfect opportunity to stamp authority on the club by immediately removing him but (perhaps understandably) bottled it and since then roo has found himself in a somewhat untouchable position.
Bottom line through all this though is the fact his form's just not been good enough. There have been flashes such is his talent but for the most part he's struggled to really affect games and is now more often than not a bit part player who just happens to play all the time.
I do think there's still a chance he could be an important player for us though but a strong manager and a clearly defined role in the team is crucial. Hopefully JM will be able to implement this otherwise he may well find himself whoring his arse in China in a years time
Moyes had the perfect opportunity to stamp authority on the club by immediately removing him but (perhaps understandably) bottled it and since then roo has found himself in a somewhat untouchable position.
Bottom line through all this though is the fact his form's just not been good enough. There have been flashes such is his talent but for the most part he's struggled to really affect games and is now more often than not a bit part player who just happens to play all the time.
I do think there's still a chance he could be an important player for us though but a strong manager and a clearly defined role in the team is crucial. Hopefully JM will be able to implement this otherwise he may well find himself whoring his arse in China in a years time
Interesting article. Certainly one of our best ever players and one of the most versatile, selfless and team-first oriented players. I don't think he is done scoring either, if anyone can get the best out of him I think Mourinho can. I think he is relishing the opportunity to work with him after wanting to sign him at Chelsea a couple of years ago.
Well, we're an ambitious club rooney, so in light of that the best choice is to sell you
Karma's a bitch
Karma's a bitch
Great article and a good read, hiding the remote from Keane 
He has lost a lot of what made him such a great player as a youngster but what a career he's had and could have had if he hadn't been injured at crucial times for England and if he didn't let himself go in between seasons.
He has lost a lot of what made him such a great player as a youngster but what a career he's had and could have had if he hadn't been injured at crucial times for England and if he didn't let himself go in between seasons.The day manchester united needed rooney is long past, ronney need manutd more now. 5 more goals to be an Absolute legend.. i am waiting.
Should have been surrounded by more quality after Ronaldo and tevez left.
Rooney really helped keep us near the top after 2009.
Rooney really helped keep us near the top after 2009.
Selling Ronaldo and Tevez and replacing them with Obertan, Owen and Valencia was a shocking downgrade. Rooney should not have (privately) questioned the ambition of the club but it's the same thing a lot of fans worried about at that time. Maybe if we'd actually replaced the likes of Ronaldo and Tevez better back then, we'd not find ourselves in the position that we find ourselves in now.
I remember watching him back in the day and thinking he was going to be a better player than Ronaldo
God above!!!
God above!!!
I still maintain that Rooney was the best young footballer I have ever seen. Better than Ronaldo pre 2006. He will end his career as England's top goal scorer and very likely uniteds with an amazing cv for appearances and trophies. But yet I still feel his career is a little disappointing in that he never became quite the player that many assumed he would in his early days.
I am very curious to see what Mourinho can do with Rooney.
He has done an fantastic job with experienced players before just by memory I can remember the magic he has done with Milito, Walter Samuel, Lucio, Zannetti and Cambiasso at Inter or the rebirth of Terry at Chelsea in his last spell at Chelsea.
Rooney is by no means an spent force he is still relatively young and with the right mind frame and motivation - something Mourinho can provide - I believe we can see the best Rooney ressurgence.
I remember that in his first season with Chelsea, Mourinho really wanted to sign Rooney so its obvious that he rates him and that he has faith in his habilities.
That said, if Rooney dont deliver I think Mourinho will not hesitate to drop him for good.
He has done an fantastic job with experienced players before just by memory I can remember the magic he has done with Milito, Walter Samuel, Lucio, Zannetti and Cambiasso at Inter or the rebirth of Terry at Chelsea in his last spell at Chelsea.
Rooney is by no means an spent force he is still relatively young and with the right mind frame and motivation - something Mourinho can provide - I believe we can see the best Rooney ressurgence.
I remember that in his first season with Chelsea, Mourinho really wanted to sign Rooney so its obvious that he rates him and that he has faith in his habilities.
That said, if Rooney dont deliver I think Mourinho will not hesitate to drop him for good.
Regardless of Rooney's current form, he is certainly a legend to me. I am 20 years old, so Wayne has been with United for as long as I remember. I don't remember his debut clearly, but his performances in the CL and the bike to beat City are some of the memories I'll remember him for. I realize he is not a Cantona, Keane, etc. but for someone my age, we've seen his career progress as we grew up.
Great player in his prime, more than fulfilled his potential imo.
He was to me World Class at one point and would have waltzed into any team in the World.
I think it's time he left though, he's won everything here and he must feel his contribution to the team is becoming less and less. A nice 2-3 year semi retirement in the MLS or China to top his career off should be on the cards.
I won't look back on him as a 'legend' purely because of his contract debacle but he's certainly one of the best United players I've seen in my lifetime to date.
He was to me World Class at one point and would have waltzed into any team in the World.
I think it's time he left though, he's won everything here and he must feel his contribution to the team is becoming less and less. A nice 2-3 year semi retirement in the MLS or China to top his career off should be on the cards.
I won't look back on him as a 'legend' purely because of his contract debacle but he's certainly one of the best United players I've seen in my lifetime to date.
What he ought to do is retire from international football after this tournament,
Legend for me. Favorite player of mine. Young Wazza was one of the best players I've seen. Not at his peak anymore, that's obvious, but I'm willing to see what Mou can do with him.
I'll never understand why so many people act like Wayne punched their mothers. I can live with the contract politics, just figure its all part of today's game.
I'll never understand why so many people act like Wayne punched their mothers. I can live with the contract politics, just figure its all part of today's game.
He is a legend, no doubt. Those who said otherwise must be either have a very short list of legends or just hate the man. He was signed by Fergie because he was one of the best prospect at the time, whether he managed to fulfill his potential i believe it depends on what you are expecting beforehand. To me, in term of ability, he could have been better, but to be able to perform at the highest level for so long, in one of the best team in the past decade, is not an easy feat.
Could've been something absolutely amazing but three broken metatarsals changed all of that. If he'd continued to be Euro 2004 Wayne Rooney then he could've been easily our best player (club and country). He was a force of nature back then and had the determination to go with it. Instead he squandered it by smoking and generally not maintaining his body. Should've been like Ronaldo but instead he was born British so he's a lazy cnut when he doesn't actually have to put any work in.
Could've remained a legend in absolutely everybody's minds had he not tried to screw the club over for a new contract and then fall out with SAF and almost leave a second time. I'm willing to accept he actually had a point with regards to the direction of the club and it's ability to attract the best/keep the best players but it was so clearly a smokescreen excuse for him getting a bumper new deal that it'll never, ever wash.
Was never good enough after the injuries to become the player he should've been and the selflessness to play anywhere meant he never specialised in one position and has ALWAYS been a square peg in a round hole. Even to this day we'll never know what his best position was/is.
In every season he's had massive swings of form. Days where he's unplayable and then the majority of the time those days when he can't pass five yards, his second touch is a tackle and he can't shoot for shit.
Quite possibly the most frustrating player we've ever signed. Definitely a 'what if?' player, much like Brazilian Ronaldo, Michael Owen, etc whereby injuries have massively impacted on their careers.
Now he's on a wage that's scarcely believable because one of our worst ever managers undid SAF's work and bent over backwards to keep him and he's never once lived up to it. He's completely physically done now and he doesn't have the intelligence to re-invent himself into the midfielder he's seemingly becoming, nor the physical ability any more.
I say this all with a signed shirt in a frame hanging on my wall. It's from 2009-10, probably his best season and obviously the year before he became a complete cnut. If it wasn't a birthday present from my sister it would've been chucked in the bin years ago.
Could've remained a legend in absolutely everybody's minds had he not tried to screw the club over for a new contract and then fall out with SAF and almost leave a second time. I'm willing to accept he actually had a point with regards to the direction of the club and it's ability to attract the best/keep the best players but it was so clearly a smokescreen excuse for him getting a bumper new deal that it'll never, ever wash.
Was never good enough after the injuries to become the player he should've been and the selflessness to play anywhere meant he never specialised in one position and has ALWAYS been a square peg in a round hole. Even to this day we'll never know what his best position was/is.
In every season he's had massive swings of form. Days where he's unplayable and then the majority of the time those days when he can't pass five yards, his second touch is a tackle and he can't shoot for shit.
Quite possibly the most frustrating player we've ever signed. Definitely a 'what if?' player, much like Brazilian Ronaldo, Michael Owen, etc whereby injuries have massively impacted on their careers.
Now he's on a wage that's scarcely believable because one of our worst ever managers undid SAF's work and bent over backwards to keep him and he's never once lived up to it. He's completely physically done now and he doesn't have the intelligence to re-invent himself into the midfielder he's seemingly becoming, nor the physical ability any more.
I say this all with a signed shirt in a frame hanging on my wall. It's from 2009-10, probably his best season and obviously the year before he became a complete cnut. If it wasn't a birthday present from my sister it would've been chucked in the bin years ago.
I forever thank him for his contribution to the club. But his career with ManUtd will forever be dented by his request for transfer to local rivals, twice.
I think lots of people being too sensitive. It's not like he's your girlfriend or boyfriend. He was never going to City. At any point. He did what his agent advised but he soon signed once Sir Alex brought it to peoples attention. He's had a great career at United and of course there will be ups and downs when you are talking about a player about to have a testimonial. At times I think we've looked to him too much because of a lack of spending and trying to be too clever. When we sold Ronaldo, who did we bring into support him? People might say Valencia! but feck me as likeable as the guy is, he's not even close. So much of Rooneys issues, I feel have been because the club lacked ambition to bring in top quality players to support him. People have a selective memory. A very selective memory at times.
Having seen this thread i do wonder, if Rooney ended his career today how high would he be ranked as a player? I try and ask myself whether he was on a par with Gerrard and Lampard for e.g who were world class but didn't get much plaudits on the continent because of their failures on the international stage while Rooney mostly did even when he didn't have the numbers that really suggested it when he was sacrificing himself for the team's sake.
I just feel he never hit the heights he should have and has himself to blame for it. You look at him next to Ronaldo, both incredibly talented youngsters, and the different approach they have taken to physical fitness/training and it's a shame he never got anywhere near being amongst the world's elite. I know Ronaldo is a freak of nature but his commitment in training and the gym is well documented, then you have Wazza smoking, drinking and banging grannies....
He should go down as a legend purely on stats but will never have the affection like G Nev, Ruuuuuuuud or someone like Ole enjoys. He won't even come close to Eric despite scoring many many more goals.
However, there is still time
He should go down as a legend purely on stats but will never have the affection like G Nev, Ruuuuuuuud or someone like Ole enjoys. He won't even come close to Eric despite scoring many many more goals.
However, there is still time
I love Ruud but didn't he request a transfer and actually left?I just feel he never hit the heights he should have and has himself to blame for it. You look at him next to Ronaldo, both incredibly talented youngsters, and the different approach they have taken to physical fitness/training and it's a shame he never got anywhere near being amongst the world's elite. I know Ronaldo is a freak of nature but his commitment in training and the gym is well documented, then you have Wazza smoking, drinking and banging grannies....
He should go down as a legend purely on stats but will never have the affection like G Nev, Ruuuuuuuud or someone like Ole enjoys. He won't even come close to Eric despite scoring many many more goals.
However, there is still time
That was all paper shite though i have yet to see one credible source to prove he wanted to go to City, he definitely put in a transfer request back in 2010 that much is true. But the papers didn't know where he wanted to go so they shit stirred and said he wanted to go to City.
But i seriously doubt he wanted to go to City back then, think about it they were not even that good and he was one of the best players in the world coming off the back of his best ever season. Yeah they had money but he could have got that anywhere. I remember a quote after he signed the new contract that he had been thinking of moving to spain.
It was strongly rumoured at the time both Real and Barca were interested Pep hinted he wanted him, and no doubt one or both had been tapping him up, which probably contributed to him being unsettled and wanting out in the first place.
Now the one in 2013 and the rumours of him wanting out and a possible deal with Chelsea had a bit more to them. I could accept they were probably not far from the truth.
Several times according to Fergie.
Think he was frozen out after a spat with Ronaldo? Then tried to leave a few times.
Will always remember the day I knew he was finished when we won the Carling Cup and he didn't play. He went straight down the tunnel at full time without celebrating...sad times
See I get the affection for Gary Neville and Ole, but Roo def deserves to be a legend more than Ruud.
Yeah something along those lines, i may be remembering incorrectly but i think Ferguson said in his book he put in requests a few summers in a row.
I also remember an interview in 2007 or 2008 where Ferguson said a senior player told him he didn't have time to wait on young players (Rooney & Ronaldo) developing and wanted to leave. I think it was rumoured that was Ruud he was talking about. He would have been 28-29 around 2005-06 so it would fit in with him being impatient to win things.
I love Ruud but i have to agree. Many don't realize just how good he has been for us. Rooney's scoring record between 18-29 is up there with a lot of top strikers like Shearer, Ruud and even Law despite rarely playing as an out and out striker.
These stats were accurate when i posted them back in September.
Some will never forgive his stupid transfer request(s) and thats fair enough. But i think a few years after he retires people will look back on his career in a better light.
Pretty much. People get annoyed about his contract and blah blah blah but he carried us for several seasons. We would have really struggled without him post ronaldo. He was our talisman.
Even in the 07/08 season, ronaldo got the headlines, but rooney was almost as good and certainly as important.
The way people go on about him these days is tiresome really.