It’s strange to report that, despite being 12 points clear in the title race and in the draw for the cup semis, there is a certain gloom around Manchester United at present. Everything was going swimmingly until Wayne Rooney was left out of the team that was defeated by Real Madrid in The Champions League. Perhaps as a consequence of this omission, Manchester United have been metaphorically winded and have lost momentum. Another tired performance on Sunday has left United’s cup hopes in the balance.
Soon after the defeat Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson moved to appease fans about the continued employment of Wayne Rooney. He said in his press conference on Friday that the England striker would definitely be at Old Trafford next season
“He’ll be here next year,” Ferguson said. “You can have my word on that.”
“There is no issue between myself and Wayne Rooney. To suggest we don’t talk is nonsense.
“He understood the reasons completely. Tactically we got it right. We don’t always but we did then.
“Welbeck is the best player we have in terms of operating a double role. We had to chalk out Xabi Alonso’s ability to control the game, which he did, and also his ability to go further forward as an attacking player.
“I left out Shinji Kagawa after he scored a hat-trick. I thought I would get more stick for that.”
Nonetheless some still believe that this is a long goodbye for Rooney. Goal.com ‘exclusively’ reveals that the striker has confided in friends that he may indeed depart for fresh pastures in the summer
….’Goal.com understands that the 27-year-old has privately told club and international colleagues that his Old Trafford future is up in the air.’
It’s hard to believe that Manchester United are considering selling, not only their best striker, but also the most adaptable player in the squad. Few, if any Manchester United players, occupy so many different positions on such a regular basis and to such a high standard as Rooney.
Those who believe that Rooney has angered Ferguson can point to big name departures in the past, such as Ruud van Nistelrooy, David Beckham, Roy Keane and Jaap Stam as evidence that no one player, however good, is bigger than the club. But the boss himself will also be aware of the fact that, Manchester United’s general form worsened before it improved, immediately after most of those big names left. If Rooney left Manchester United, a similar period of re-moulding would have to ensue, to fill the huge gap left by the heartbeat of this side.
Rooney hasn’t had his best time for club since August, with injuries curtailing his goal tally to a still respectable 15 this season. But, anyone who watches United regularly will know that his value to United goes far beyond the number of times he finds the net. His assists and work rate are crucial to the club and when the backs are against the wall every top team would want a Rooney in their side.
Most Manchester United fans will hope that the summer sees Rooney signing a new contract at Old Trafford, to put the speculation to bed once and for all.
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