Wayne Rooney | 2012-14 Performances

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Amir

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Exactly. The only reason that Rooney has been constantly moved around is because no-one has a bloody clue where his best position is. He isn't consistently one of the World's best "number 9's", he isn't consistently one of the World's best "number 10's" and he isn't one of the best wingers/central midfielders.
He's definitely not a winger or a midfielder, I think we'd all agree on that. I think he was clearly a very good number 10, but Fergie had that idea about how Rooney should be scoring more goals, and he moved him upfront. Well, it worked brilliantly in 2009/10, he scored tons and we lost out on trophies after he was injured. Then, next season, he was back as a number 10, alongside Berbatov and than Hernandez... He wasn't moved because he failed to do well up front, but he was still moved back because Fergie wanted to play Berbatov there.
 

Plechazunga

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He's definitely not a winger or a midfielder, I think we'd all agree on that. I think he was clearly a very good number 10, but Fergie had that idea about how Rooney should be scoring more goals, and he moved him upfront. Well, it worked brilliantly in 2009/10, he scored tons and we lost out on trophies after he was injured. Then, next season, he was back as a number 10, alongside Berbatov and than Hernandez... He wasn't moved because he failed to do well up front, but he was still moved back because Fergie wanted to play Berbatov there.
I think Fergie was right to move him back. He was brilliant that season but you couldn't help feel it was sacrificing his creative play for goals. What you really want from Rooney is for play to go through him, even if it means he scores less himself. You want him affecting games the maximum amount possible.
 

Amir

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I think Fergie was right to move him back. He was brilliant that season but you couldn't help feel it was sacrificing his creative play for goals. What you really want from Rooney is for play to go through him, even if it means he scores less himself. You want him affecting games the maximum amount possible.
I agree, I always thought Rooney should be playing as a number 10 because he has so much to his game. I have to say that in the last couple of years I've kind of changed my mind because he seems to have less and less. He'll still score goals in you stick him up front, but he's not consistent enough to play that creative role.

My point is, that it was a case of moving him from position to position. At times it looked as if we were trying to turn him into an out and out goalscorer. And he did that well. Then, naa, back to your old position.
 

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I think there's something to the theory that Kagawa was bought to play behind Rooney, before Fergie decided he just couldn't pass on RVP.
 

finneh

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I think Fergie was right to move him back. He was brilliant that season but you couldn't help feel it was sacrificing his creative play for goals. What you really want from Rooney is for play to go through him, even if it means he scores less himself. You want him affecting games the maximum amount possible.
I agree 100%. However this season he's been played primarily in that position and has been (according to anyone who regularly watches us) disappointing, despite statistically doing well.

Unfortunately he has decided that kicking up a fuss, shagging hookers, drinking, bringing the club into disrepute and generally being the perfect example of how not to behave professionally is the way he wants to behave.

You look at Giggs and some of the best form of his career was when he was shagging some model behind his wives' back. Terry likewise seemed to perform better when acting like a general cnut. Some players can shut it out, or even use the booing as motivation. Rooney can't and hasn't become the player he should have because he can't curb his constant moronic behaviour.

Personally I think playing Kagawa in the number 10 role consistently would lead to a similar return (maybe slightly worse), but without the constant grief, shitty form due to personal circumstance and general annoyance that Rooney causes.

Obviously if he was performing like Messi, Ronaldo or even Mata or Bale at the moment you'd be more willing to forgive the baggage that he invariably will bring.
 

Sandikan

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I think there's something to the theory that Kagawa was bought to play behind Rooney, before Fergie decided he just couldn't pass on RVP.
there is, until you remember VP's camp had got the word to fergie ages back that he was up for a move.
 

sullydnl

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there is, until you remember VP's camp had got the word to fergie ages back that he was up for a move.
Exactly, around Christmas time according to Graham Hunter. The Van Persie deal was planned well in advance.
 

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I thought RVP was in very advanced talks with Juventus when we made our move, so advanced that he felt he had to call them personally to explain the change to United? I remember reading something like that around the time.
 

sullydnl

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I thought RVP was in very advanced talks with Juventus when we made our move, so advanced that he felt he had to call them personally to explain the change to United? I remember reading something like that around the time.
According to Hunter (and a few other journalists) RvP's people told United around Christmas that he was going to leave Arsenal and that United was his preferred destination. I suppose that doesn't mean he wasn't talking to other clubs, just that United knew they would get him if they went for him.
 

Plechazunga

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I agree, I always thought Rooney should be playing as a number 10 because he has so much to his game. I have to say that in the last couple of years I've kind of changed my mind because he seems to have less and less. He'll still score goals in you stick him up front, but he's not consistent enough to play that creative role.

My point is, that it was a case of moving him from position to position. At times it looked as if we were trying to turn him into an out and out goalscorer. And he did that well. Then, naa, back to your old position.
Yeah. Though I think it's less of an issue with the different forward positions, as he seems to be happy in either.

I agree 100%. However this season he's been played primarily in that position and has been (according to anyone who regularly watches us) disappointing, despite statistically doing well.

Unfortunately he has decided that kicking up a fuss, shagging hookers, drinking, bringing the club into disrepute and generally being the perfect example of how not to behave professionally is the way he wants to behave.

You look at Giggs and some of the best form of his career was when he was shagging some model behind his wives' back. Terry likewise seemed to perform better when acting like a general cnut. Some players can shut it out, or even use the booing as motivation. Rooney can't and hasn't become the player he should have because he can't curb his constant moronic behaviour.

Personally I think playing Kagawa in the number 10 role consistently would lead to a similar return (maybe slightly worse), but without the constant grief, shitty form due to personal circumstance and general annoyance that Rooney causes.

Obviously if he was performing like Messi, Ronaldo or even Mata or Bale at the moment you'd be more willing to forgive the baggage that he invariably will bring.
Fair enough.
 

204Red

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I dunno, it's not looking good since Sunday...

I always felt that nike spot cut a little too close to the bone... ie if Wayne wasn't any good at football, this is exactly how his life would have turned out.
 

wr8_utd

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Sports Direct sorry for web story linking Newcastle with Wayne Rooney

• 'SportsDirect News wishes to express its sincere apologies'
• Rooney article 'published without authority … and is untrue'


Well, even Newcastle don't want him now.
 

Plechazunga

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As you lot might have gathered, I don't read the sports pages... what is all this about booze? Are we talking a couple of snaps of him having a beer midweek, or is this an actual issue?

The way some of you are talking, it's like he's mainlining meths at half-time.
 

Nick 0208 Ldn

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Would you both then contest the assertion that Rooney doesn't take his health and fitness seriously enough? Fergie outed him for it publicly earlier in the season.
 

Rozay

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I think Fergie was right to move him back. He was brilliant that season but you couldn't help feel it was sacrificing his creative play for goals. What you really want from Rooney is for play to go through him, even if it means he scores less himself. You want him affecting games the maximum amount possible.
I think he's at his best furthest forward. He's an excellent finisher. His 'creativity' is overstated I reckon, and don't see him as having the guile to unlock the tightest defences. His assists are often from crosses and corners, and I don't think he's enough of a creator to justify sacrificing his goals for.

Besides, he can still create as the leading striker anyway, and link with his teammates.
 

Plechazunga

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Would you both then contest the assertion that Rooney doesn't take his health and fitness seriously enough? Fergie outed him for it publicly earlier in the season.
I have no idea. He generally runs like the clappers most of the game, which suggests he's fit.

I think he's at his best furthest forward. He's an excellent finisher. His 'creativity' is overstated I reckon, and don't see him as having the guile to unlock the tightest defences. His assists are often from crosses and corners, and I don't think he's enough of a creator to justify sacrificing his goals for.

Besides, he can still create as the leading striker anyway, and link with his teammates.
It's true he doesn't thread the ball through packed defences very often. Then again, few players do. People talk about Scholes on here as if he did that all the time, but it was a rarity. It's just phenomenally difficult.

I see Rooney as doing something similar to what Scholes actually did, though from a more advanced position. That is, move the ball intelligently and not completely predictably, to pull the defence around and create space. He draws in defenders because he's dangerous, then uses the ball cleverly. But no, he's not slicing the opposition apart the whole time.
 

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As you lot might have gathered, I don't read the sports pages... what is all this about booze? Are we talking a couple of snaps of him having a beer midweek, or is this an actual issue?

The way some of you are talking, it's like he's mainlining meths at half-time.
I dont think anyone is suggesting he has a drink problem, the issue relates to his general fitness.

At the start of this season Rooney was left out and Fergie said it was because he came back out of shape from the summer break. Many people linked that to a summer of boozing, although for me the bigger issue is the lack of professionalism.

Also there was this incident which he was fined and dropped for (along with Gibson and Evans at the time):
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/premierleague/article3273635.ece
 

Rozay

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I have no idea. He generally runs like the clappers most of the game, which suggests he's fit.



It's true he doesn't thread the ball through packed defences very often. Then again, few players do. People talk about Scholes on here as if he did that all the time, but it was a rarity. It's just phenomenally difficult.

I see Rooney as doing something similar to what Scholes actually did, though from a more advanced position. That is, move the ball intelligently and not completely predictably, to pull the defence around and create space. He draws in defenders because he's dangerous, then uses the ball cleverly. But no, he's not slicing the opposition apart the whole time.
So considering your summary of his creative strengths and limitations, do you genuinely feel they are of such a level that they should take priority over his obvious goal-scoring ability?

I think there are some untruths about Rooney's best role being as a #10. Rooney, while being a good passer for a striker, has never been renowned for being particularly creative I don't think. The notion that he's best suited to the role of a second-striker has been around for many years, and if people remember correctly, it was largely put down to his ability and or willingness to run at defenders that caused people to feel he was best utilised slightly deeper. Never been about his creativity as such. I think as he has been less willing or able to run at defenders, his best role is certainly furthest forward, on the end of chances. I think it is clear, for instance, that someone like Shinji has a more specialised skillset to be a central 'creator' than Rooney.
 

The Neviller

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Jesus, you'd think Rooney was some Sunday league clogger to read some of the posts on here. The amount he gets underrated by our fans, and has been for quite some time, is staggering.
 

Marcus

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Jesus, you'd think Rooney was some Sunday league clogger to read some of the posts on here. The amount he gets underrated by our fans, and has been for quite some time, is staggering.
I agree. I want Rooney to stay. But willingly and giving 100% to the cause.
 

Nick 0208 Ldn

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I expect people have seen the latest rumours surrounding Rooney, these concerning England and the possibility he'll be named captain by Hodgson for the summer internationals.

Not long ago i'd have thought Hart would have been a certainty under the circumstances although like Rooney his 12/13 carries its question marks.

It can work for United whether the mood is to sell or keep him.
 

KiD MoYeS

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That'd be an unusual appointment by Hosgson, unless it's a very inexperienced English squad.

Mind you, England are playing us in a few weeks so they might aswell give Andy Carroll the captaincy, won't make a difference.
 

Genius Me!

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If we sell Rooney, we have a ready made replacement in Bebe returning.
 

devilish

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I have some doubts whether those 60 minutes or whatever ruined his career... Must have been far more than that.

Anyonw, if Fergie was told that using Jesper in the final would cost him his career, he wouldn't have played.
I doubt that. With Keane and Scholes suspended our midfield lacked the bodies needed to compete. Under such circumstances, the alternative to Blomqvist would have been Greening and I seriously doubt that anyone would have relied on an untested kid to play in a historic CL final

To be fair I doubt that Jesper would have refused playing in the first place. Im in a decent job, and sometimes, when there's a big project, I go to work even when Im terribly sick. Jesper was a professional player, paid 30k-40k a week and his team needed him to play in one of the most important game in the club/his career history. Do you think that he would refuse playing that game despite knowing that it may cost his career? I wouldnt

However my point stands. SAF is a good person but Manchester United > player interest. That's how it is and that's how its should be. He was Manchester United's manager and not a social worker
 

The Neviller

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The same way Rooney's heart doesn't lie in the club, the hearts of the fans don't lie in Rooney.
There is disliking his behaviour, and then there is hugely underrating his ability. I think it's often done as a defence mechanism. Say he's not very good so the fact he "doesn't love the club" doesn't hurt as much.

And all this "his heart isn't with the club" is romantic nonsense anyway. Footballers aren't like fans, they are there to do a job, some want trophies, some want money, some want both. Some probably love their clubs, especially if they've been fans when they were younger, but I'd say the vast majority don't have the seem feeling for the club as the fans do. We like to think the players all love our club, but they have a different relationship with it. They're getting paid to be there.
 

Sparky_Hughes

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There is disliking his behaviour, and then there is hugely underrating his ability. I think it's often done as a defence mechanism. Say he's not very good so the fact he "doesn't love the club" doesn't hurt as much.

And all this "his heart isn't with the club" is romantic nonsense anyway. Footballers aren't like fans, they are there to do a job, some want trophies, some want money, some want both. Some probably love their clubs, especially if they've been fans when they were younger, but I'd say the vast majority don't have the seem feeling for the club as the fans do. We like to think the players all love our club, but they have a different relationship with it. They're getting paid to be there.
Is he a very good player? Yes

Is he as good as some here make him out to be? He can be when his head is in the right place

Is he as good as he thinks he is? I dont think so.

For a player to be The focal point, the main man for Utd they have to be Ultra reliable, able to put everything else aside and be almost machine like in their consistency, a la Robbo or Keane, and Rooney just isnt that player, yet from his antics I am pretty sure he sees himself as up there with Messi and Ronaldo and genuinely cannt understand being dropped.
 

Amir

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I doubt that. With Keane and Scholes suspended our midfield lacked the bodies needed to compete. Under such circumstances, the alternative to Blomqvist would have been Greening and I seriously doubt that anyone would have relied on an untested kid to play in a historic CL final
Johnsen to midfield, May at the back. Wouldn't have been a shock at all if that had been the lineup with Blomqvist on the bench.

You don't ruin a player's career for one match.
 

Amir

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I think there are some untruths about Rooney's best role being as a #10. Rooney, while being a good passer for a striker, has never been renowned for being particularly creative I don't think. The notion that he's best suited to the role of a second-striker has been around for many years, and if people remember correctly, it was largely put down to his ability and or willingness to run at defenders that caused people to feel he was best utilised slightly deeper. Never been about his creativity as such. I think as he has been less willing or able to run at defenders, his best role is certainly furthest forward, on the end of chances. I think it is clear, for instance, that someone like Shinji has a more specialised skillset to be a central 'creator' than Rooney.
I tend to agree with that. I thought he was best suited for the second striker role for many years, but over time he's been running less at defenders and while his football IQ improved and he's not bad creatively, he's probably not good and certainly not consistent enough at that role. Further up front is the right place for him now.
 

devilish

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Johnsen to midfield, May at the back. Wouldn't have been a shock at all if that had been the lineup with Blomqvist on the bench.

You don't ruin a player's career for one match.
May had just 9 appearances that season. We were really out of options

I remember Jesper's old interview stating that he played the CL final despite being injured + it costed him his career. It was certainly his last game with the club
 

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I dont know the specifics but I would be very surprised if SAF played him if he thought there was a risk it would end his career. Playing someone who is carrying a bit of an injury is one thing, you cant possibly know it will lead to that, you just assume you are not going to get 100% out of them, or maybe you are going to aggravate it and itll take them longer to come back.
 

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I've said for ages, he should be used as a natural replacement for Paul Scholes.

He's always had the range of passing required for a midfield player, he tracks back well and would get forward and support the way a younger Scholes used to.
 
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