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2016-17 Performances


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5.2 Season Average Rating
Appearances
39
Goals
8
Assists
10
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el3mel

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His all-round games is obviously quite bad as is his first touch. Yet, he's got 6 goals and 10 assists in 32 games(including a bunch of sub apps), and that's really not that bad.
As long as he keeps up those numbers, and we keep winning I'm not complaining.

Still, I agree he should definitely be off this summer but until then, there's nothing to do but support him and hope for the best. We're so low on attacking options that we need to rely on him.
These 10 assists include goals like Martial's goal vs Stoke, Zlatan's goal vs Zorya, Zlatan's 1st goal vs Swansea and I didn't even dig much into the other 7 assists to see what they hold.
 

PepsiCola

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These 10 assists include goals like Martial's goal vs Stoke, Zlatan's goal vs Zorya, Zlatan's 1st goal vs Swansea and I didn't even dig much into the other 7 assists to see what they hold.
Don't forget the two yard pass to Lingard before he morphed into Messi against Leicester.
 

Bastian

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So if he has a modest goal tally he's doing OK? Conveniently ignoring that he breaks up our play countless times and really struggles with almost every aspect of the game at the top level?

Just curious, are these the same posters who think Zlatan held us back?
 

Yakuza_devils

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We have in our hands very difficult Top 4 and Europa League run in and Rooney's experience and leadership are very important especially we have lost Zlatan now.

In moments like these, sometimes experience and cool head makes all the difference. Remember that Rashford, Lingard and Martial are still very young, Mhki is new to this league intensity, Mata is injured. Basically we have no one else and we need to hope Rooney hit form at the critical time to help us in the league and EL.

The signs are encouraging for Rooney as he scored even when playing badly. He should also be given a penalty. The chance that he took and scored was exactly what have been missing from our strikers all season. No one attacking and anticipating the crosses and second balls in the box. Hope he will improve and be very useful to us in the difficult end of the season.
 

Ashley R1+O

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Rooney was fine in 2014/15, LVG's first season. Not brilliant, but alright. No one disputed him being picked at the start of the 2015/16 season because we were hoping his decline was more of a blip. By later in the season though it was clear Rooney's overall game had significantly regressed, yet LVG continued to play him as a central, pivotal figure to the team, often shifting Martial out wide despite the fact Martial was looking like a better forward at the time. That's on LVG.
He wasn't brilliant for sure. But he was better than 'alright', he had a serviceable season as a swiss-army-knife player who literally played in every position he possibly could. It really was a tactical mess of a season to be honest, fitting in five (YES FIVE) strikers that LVG came to pretty obviously not fancy (so much so that he got rid of one, sent another out on loan) to fulfill the role that he wanted the strikers to play. So you've immediately gone from "why was he even in the team in LVG'II" to, "yeah he was alright I guess". 4-3-3's, 3-5-2's and 4-2-3-1's. I would argue that no player was really able to get to grips with the systems we tried and nail down anything close to a 'brilliant' season.

Martial made 20 starts up front at various times last season and also only managed to score 4 goals when started up front. It was obvious that playing him on the left side was where he was most comfortable and effective. I completely disagree that he "looked the better player there" and that Rooney pushed him out wide. That is a complete misrepresentation of the scenario entirely. I am not buying that he heavily regressed either, a regression was probably evident but it was heavily masked by the system LVG wanted the players to play. To go back to what LVG wanted in a striker. He criticized every single striker he had at various times at the club for not standing still enough, Rashford and Wilson, even RVP in the first season got a "he plays on the shoulder to much" type of treatment.

It shouldn't have taken him a full year to realise Rooney wasn't good enough anymore.
You have to join the dots here, LVG kept saying Rooney was doing exactly what he wanted him to do, be cause he was. He wasn't going to change it, because he was playing exactly how LVG wanted him to. I understand people see the situation differently and how the perceive the scenario, I've gone back to the older threads and there were a lot of people yelling "why doesn't he move, why doesn't he make runs, why doesn't he attack the lines off the shoulder" because that was not the tactical instruction. It was made clear to us that in LVG's mind he kept saying he was playing well because in his mind he was.

LVG was a complete mess. So the entire scenario is on him, people have to wake up to that. This season is a completley clean slate for everyone, so far Jose has managed the situation perfectly - he has to get credit for that.
 
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clarkydaz

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He wasn't brilliant for sure. But he was better than 'alright', he had a serviceable season as a swiss-army-knife player who literally played in every position he possibly could. It really was a tactical mess of a season to be honest, fitting in five (YES FIVE) strikers that LVG came to pretty obviously not fancy (so much so that he got rid of one, sent another out on loan) to fulfill the role that he wanted the strikers to play. So you've immediately gone from "why was he even in the team in LVG'II" to, "yeah he was alright I guess". 4-3-3's, 3-5-2's and 4-2-3-1's. I would argue that no player was really able to get to grips with the systems we tried and nail down anything close to a 'brilliant' season.

Martial made 20 starts up front at various times last season and also only managed to score 4 goals when started up front. It was obvious that playing him on the left side was where he was most comfortable and effective. I completely disagree that he "looked the better player there" and that Rooney pushed him out wide. That is a complete misrepresentation of the scenario entirely. I am not buying that he heavily regressed either, a regression was probably evident but it was heavily masked by the system LVG wanted the players to play. To go back to what LVG wanted in a striker. He criticized every single striker he had at various times at the club for not standing still enough, Rashford and Wilson, even RVP in the first season got a "he plays on the shoulder to much" type of treatment.


You have to join the dots here, LVG kept saying Rooney was doing exactly what he wanted him to do, be cause he was. He wasn't going to change it, because he was playing exactly how LVG wanted him to. I understand people see the situation differently and how the perceive the scenario, I've gone back to the older threads and there were a lot of people yelling "why doesn't he move, why doesn't he make runs, why doesn't he attack the lines off the shoulder" because that was not the tactical instruction. It was made clear to us that in LVG's mind he kept saying he was playing well because in his mind he was.

LVG was a complete mess. So the entire scenario is on him, people have to wake up to that.
all i recall him saying is his captain always plays, and is a fantastic captain. never justifying why he was actually playing well
 

Ashley R1+O

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all i recall him saying is his captain always plays, and is a fantastic captain. never justifying why he was actually playing well
Go back to my previous post.

Rooney's comments in an interview with Gary Neville on Sky said:
I think it's a more disciplined role, the manager, actually, when he spoke to me about how he wants me to play up front, he went back to when he was manager of Bayern Munich and the striker there was averaging 10 touches a game. I was like 'bloody hell, I want more than that'. I can't remember who the striker was [possibly Ivica Olic] but then he said he was scoring two goals a game, so I was like 'that's no pressure then, two goals in 10 touches'.
He was talking about Mario Gomez :lol: but, yeah. That is why, the guy was a total and complete nut job. Why do you think Chicharito/Welbeck hit the ejector seat. Imagine telling a striker like Chicharito that, mental.

For me he was though mate, i'm not someone to exaggerate how bad Rooney was like a lot of people. But that period between August and December 2015 was as bad as i've seen him play. Right up there with the few months at the start of the 2010-11 season where he didn't score from open play for about 5-6 months. Everything about his game in late 2015 was just off, passing, shooting, first touch, everything. Yes he had the odd good performance like Brugge but he was bad. As i said he improved again and got back to a good level after Xmas though.
Fair enough mate, if that is how you feel, that is how you feel. I don't think his passing-touch were all that much different, or his shooting either. He quite clearly was being instructed to play like the tip of an unchalked pool cue and somehow turn that into a miracle amount of goals as a 5'8" brutally undersized striker in one of the most physically imposing leagues in the world.
 

top1whoisman

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From an interview with Sky:

After returning to the starting line-up for last weekend’s win over Burnley - and scoring - the Reds captain chose not to add to the statement he made in February about his future.

At that time, as speculation reached fever pitch and manager Jose Mourinho admitted he didn’t know if he would be around after the summer, Rooney said: “Despite the interest which has been shown from other clubs, for which I’m grateful, I want to end recent speculation and say that I am staying at Manchester United.”

But when asked in a Sky Sportsinterview on Thursday ahead of the Manchester derby if he would remain at Old Trafford, the Liverpudlian said: “I think I answered that question in February.

“My focus at the minute is helping us reach the Europa League final, and to win it, and help us get to the top four. That’s my focus at the minute.

“I think I’ve got a lot to offer, and as I keep saying, I’m looking forward to these next few games, get a few under my belt, and get to where I want to be at the end of the season and see what happens there.”

Rooney believes his time as an elite player is far from over.

Asked if he can play at the top level for another two or three years, Rooney added: “Yes. Even longer I think. Everyone mentions that age, I’m 31, not an old person. Of course, I’ve played a lot of games.

“Who knows, not playing so many games this season might benefit me.

“I feel I can contribute quality, composure, experience, and know-how, how to get over the line, whether it’s to win the league or finish top four or get to the final. That’s a lot of experience I can contribute to the team.

“Of course it’s good to be back. I want to be back playing, and hopefully between now and the end of the season and leave a mark on the games I play.”

And he insists he can bounce back from being written off.

Rooney said: “I think that’s happened for the last few years. All I can do is keep working, keep trying to prove people wrong. I work hard in training, and I just have to wait and get my chance, as I did against Burnley.

“I know I’m good enough to play at the top level. People have their opinions, which I respect, and I have mine.”
 

Adisa

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Good for him and i hope he's motivated.
My opinion is that he's done at the highest level.
 

Ole90+3

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The only real negative to Rooney staying is his enormous wages, which I'm not sure will stop us from signing his replacement anyway. From what all his team mates, both past and present, have said about him, he comes across as a great character to have within a squad.

He seems to be a good leader on the pitch, which is something I think we are short of. His commitment on the pitch is never in doubt, I just wish he would be more disciplined in his diet.

I think he will get even less game time next season and mainly be a positive presence around the squad. It's really incredible how quickly his ability and pace has declined; a Fernando Torresque demise.

A lot of our fans, including myself, were beginning to resent Rooney due to his shitness and ongoing weight issues. But for me I have actually began to grow a fondness for him again, I think mainly down to how quiet he has kept in the media about his situation and his attitude when given an opportunity to play.
 
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togg

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The only real negative to Rooney staying is his enormous wages, which I'm not sure will stop us from signing his replacement anyway. From what all his team mates, both past and present, have said about him, he comes across as a great character to have within a squad.

He seems to be a good leader on the pitch, which is something I think we are short of. His commitment on the pitch is never in doubt, I just wish he would be more disciplined in his diet.

I think he will get even less game time next season and mainly be a positive presence around the squad. It's really incredible how quickly his ability and pace has declined; a Fernando Torresque demise.

A lot of our fans, including myself, were beginning to resent Rooney due to his shitness and ongoing weight issues. But for me I have actually began to grow a fondness for him again, I think mainly down to how quiet he has kept in the media about his situation and his attitude when given an opportunity to play.


I think this has helped in a big way and has surprised me somewhat considering I think it's fairly obvious in the past his 'team' managed to regularly whinge to the press. He seems to have kept his head down, got on with it and not openly bleated or complained. And.....the fans still chant his name...as we saw at Burnley!
 

Mockney

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Asked if he can play at the top level for another two or three years, Rooney added: “Yes. Even longer I think. Everyone mentions that age, I’m 31, not an old person.
Bless him, but he's not really 31, is he? Not physically. 31 is a fine age for a footballer whose physically 31, or a young 31, but Rooney was a man at 16. His body has always been running ahead of his years. Add in the amount of games he's played and the injuries he's had (and the fact he's never been the most dedicated fitness freak) and his comparatively young age in years doesn't really mean anything. In practicall terms he's at least 36. Probably older.
 
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Devil may care

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It's sad how in denial he is but I guess when you've lived in a bubble of people kissing your ass since you were 16 it's hard to have reality smack you in the chops.
 

AndyJ1985

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Whether he's done at the highest level isn't opinion anymore, it's a fact that he is. But I wouldn't expect him to admit it because he's never been able to be critical of himself.
 

Dante

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I want players to give up easily. Rooney is too much of a fighter and won't ever stop trying. That's not the United way, post-Fergie.
 

dichinero

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“I feel I can contribute quality, composure, experience, and know-how, how to get over the line, whether it’s to win the league or finish top four or get to the final. That’s a lot of experience I can contribute to the team.
Bless him
 

Pexbo

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It's sad how in denial he is but I guess when you've lived in a bubble of people kissing your ass since you were 16 it's hard to have reality smack you in the chops.
I don't think he's in denial. He just can't come out and admit the obvious truth as it'll make any future contract talks harder and give Southgate an easy excuse.
 

Sandikan

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It's sad how in denial he is but I guess when you've lived in a bubble of people kissing your ass since you were 16 it's hard to have reality smack you in the chops.
Did you expect him to say

"Well obviously, i'm massively past my best, I have the mobility of a guy 20 years older, can barely control it, and i'm literally hanging around as mere squad fill as we're down to the absolute bare bones. I'm merely filling in time before I ideally scoot off to Everton, if they'll pay 100k a week, and United will put in £10m to make up the massive shortfall, or ruck off to USA/China if they won't"

The denial bit is the nonsense about "lasting longer" than the 2-3 years someone mentioned, which sounds exceptionally unlikely as it Is!

What's he gonna be contributing at the top level at 34/35?!
 

Devil may care

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I don't think he's in denial. He just can't come out and admit the obvious truth as it'll make any future contract talks harder and give Southgate an easy excuse.
I forgot about the England side of things, he told them when he'd stop playing for England and that's not until after the next World Cup.

Did you expect him to say

"Well obviously, i'm massively past my best, I have the mobility of a guy 20 years older, can barely control it, and i'm literally hanging around as mere squad fill as we're down to the absolute bare bones. I'm merely filling in time before I ideally scoot off to Everton, if they'll pay 100k a week, and United will put in £10m to make up the massive shortfall, or ruck off to USA/China if they won't"
It would be refreshing :lol: but no, just a little less silly talk about having years left at the top, something a bit more measured.
 

Sandikan

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I forgot about the England side of things, he told them when he'd stop playing for England and that's not until after the next World Cup.



It would be refreshing :lol: but no, just a little less silly talk about having years left at the top, something a bit more measured.
Yep, most of it seems standard patter, but to even for a second think he can go on at this level for longer than 2-3 years is incredible.

Well, "go on", or "exist", maybe, but it'd be for a lower midtable team, plodding, and just ticking over, not influencing things.

When you've been one of the best, that'd be very hard to deal with i'd have thought.
Although perhaps it's like my main sport running, where I remember Ron Hill bein asked how he felt about coming lower midpack at races he used to win. He merely said you can either take your ball away and not play anymore, or carry on enjoying it. Fair play.
 

Devil may care

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Yep, most of it seems standard patter, but to even for a second think he can go on at this level for longer than 2-3 years is incredible.

Well, "go on", or "exist", maybe, but it'd be for a lower midtable team, plodding, and just ticking over, not influencing things.

When you've been one of the best, that'd be very hard to deal with i'd have thought.
Although perhaps it's like my main sport running, where I remember Ron Hill bein asked how he felt about coming lower midpack at races he used to win. He merely said you can either take your ball away and not play anymore, or carry on enjoying it. Fair play.
I imagine in Rooney's case there will be a lot of people still making money off him and telling him what he wants to hear, unlike the runner you mention who was probably more independent as there wasn't the money involved there is in football these days.

I think if Rooney wants to play regularly he maybe could if he took the Fletcher route or maybe went down a division, but even for Everton I don't think he'd offer much these days, not if they intend to try and push on and get in the top 4 battle in the near future.
 

Bwuk

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He'll start against Swansea, wouldn't be surprised if he starts in midfield actually since we are limited for numbers.

Jose will want to rest Carrick for Celta Vigo, Pogba is out, Fellaini suspended, Mensah injured.
 

Adisa

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cant believe it, but I wouldn't have minded him to come on we were that bad going forward
He's the last person I'd want in that situation. His touch is heave in normal situations, would have put us in trouble if he came on. It's not as if he can run with the ball either.
 

Sylar

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I think the only time he would have come on is if we had conceded. And even then I would not be convinced it would have helped us.
 
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