“Wayne Rooney scores for Manchester United… and it’s not the last time you’ll hear that,” said the commentator, as Rooney put away the first of three goals in his United debut against Fenerbahce in the Champions League.
Wayne Rooney was the signing I had been the most excited about in years. Here was a youngster who just looked like a United player. He had the ability, the passion, the fire, the edge, he had it all.
However, like all English United players, Rooney has been the receiving end of some harsh criticism. After his injury in Euro 2004, when just a teenager, saw England’s chances of winning anything crumble away, the pressure put on his shoulders was massive. Whilst Rooney is just one of the many under-performing English stars, he was one of the few who is really singled out.
People claim he has never fulfilled his potential, with the great legend Pele joining the list of critics yesterday. However, I can only imagine that the people who slate Rooney as a footballer don’t watch him half as much as we do!
“I like Wayne Rooney, but he hasn’t reached the peak of Euro 2004 again,” said Pele. “He had two or three very good years and then lost a little bit in his performances. I don’t know why.”
Before I look at the less tangible evidence, the point of view that comes from a fan who thinks the World of Wayne Rooney, I’ll take a look at the statistics.
2004/2005 (18 at the start of the season):
League appearances – 29
Goals – 11 (11th highest scorer in the league)
Assists – 4
Total for Premiership: 29 games, responsible for 15 goals (average 0.5 goals per game)
Total goals: 17
2005/2006 (19 at the start of the season):
League appearances – 36
Goals -16 (4th highest scorer in the league)
Assists – 9 (3rd highest in the league)
Total for Premiership: 36 games, responsible for 25 goals (average 0.7 goals per game)
Total goals: 19
2006/2007 (20 at the start of the season):
League appearances – 35
Goals – 14 (4th highest in the league)
Assists – 11 (3rd highest in the league)
Total for Premiership: 35 games, responsible for 25 goals (average of 0.7 goals per game)
Total goals: 23
2007/2008 (21 at the start of the season):
League appearances – 27
Goals – 12 (11th highest in the league, highest scoring Englishman in the Premiership)
Assists – 13 (3rd highest in the league)
Total for Premiership: 27 games, responsible for 25 goals (average of 0.9 goals per game)
Total goals: 18
In contrast to the point of view that Rooney has never matched his achievements or form of 2004, these statistics show that in terms of influence with goals, Rooney has improved every season since joining United.
The season which has just finished is the best example of this. Out of the maximum 38 league game appearances on offer, Rooney featured in just 27 games (less than John O’Shea) due to injury, which is close to 1/3 of Premiership games. He broke his metatarsal on the first day of the season, meaning after the first 45 minutes of 2007/2008 football, he missed our opening 5 league games of the season. In November he sprained his ankle on the training ground which saw him miss a month of football. Then late on, there was his hip injury against Blackburn which kept him out of matches, as well as effecting the standard of his play where we had no choice but to play him.
Yet last season, in terms of scoring or assisting goals, Rooney averaged out a pretty much a goal for every match he played in. This is with the disruptive effect injury and recovery taken in to consideration. 10 players scored more goals than him (Ronaldo – 19 more goals than Rooney, 7 more games than Rooney. Adebayor – 12 more goals, 9 more games. Torres – 12 more goals, 6 more games. Santa Cruz – 7 more goals, 10 more games. Berbatov – 3 more goals, 9 more games. Benjani – 3 more goals, 9 more games. Yakubu – 3 more goals, 4 more games. Tevez – 2 more goals, 7 more games. Carew – 1 more goal, 5 more games) and 2 players assisted more goals than him (Fabregas – 6 more assists than Rooney, 5 more games. Young – 4 more assists, 10 more games).
So that’s the stats dealt with. Now let’s look at the real things, the
Rooney shows up in the big games. Whilst Ronaldo has received criticism for not being a big game player (although, this has to be disputed, after scoring the finals of the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup, as well as goals against Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal), Rooney is typically the player you can depend upon to show up and help United win.
In the last league game of the season, the one United needed to win to ensure they were crowned Champions, Rooney won United a penalty after Wigan’s Emmerson Boyce was too slow for him as he burst in to the box. The second goal, which sealed our championship, came from a perfectly weighted ball from Rooney, cutting through the Wigan defence to land perfectly at Giggs’ feet, to lift in to the back of the net.
Against Liverpool at Old Trafford, Rooney provided the cross for Wes Brown’s header as well as the clever ball which wrong footed Jamie Carragher for Nani’s goal. Against Liverpool at Old Trafford, it was Rooney’s ball in to the box that Carlos Tevez got on the end of to give us the win.
Whilst there are many examples of the effect Rooney has on our team, it is United’s FA Cup victory over Aston Villa where his presence was shown more clearly than any other game. Before he was brought on with just 20 minutes remaining, the game was lifeless, frustrating, and heading for a replay at Old Trafford. However, from the moment he walked on to the pitch, the match changed. He almost instantly had our best chance of the game, seeing the ball just float over the bar after a run from the half way line. Ronaldo scored our first, Rooney scored the second.
United lost 5 league games last season. The first 4 of these, Rooney played no part. The 5th, against Chelsea, saw Rooney score the equalising goal before being forced off through injury. United then lost. Coincidence? Not on your life. Like Eric Cantona before him, there is something special in Rooney which commands a winning performance from our players.
Quite frankly though, I don’t feel that we as United fans have anything to prove. I can defend Rooney for my own satisfaction, to look statistically and otherwise at reasons why he is the quality player we know him to be. But essentially, you just need to watch Rooney play to know, without any question, how important he is to United. I’d sell Ronaldo ten times over before even contemplating letting Rooney leave. “Once a blue, always a red” we chant back when Everton come to town, because he has that United way about him.
The more everyone else hates him, the more we seem to love him. We’re not blinded to his faults, rather accept them and him for what they are. Nobody is perfect, and I’d far rather a passionate and dedicated player like Rooney, the type that is ‘win at all costs’, than some lifeless, unmotivated wimp, who pulls out of 50-50s and gives up when their back is against the wall. Roy Keane and Eric Cantona are the players from my life time that I would regard modern day United legends and both of them had a screw lose. Rooney is cut from the same cloth and I’m not going to complain about that.
Whilst guilty of boiling over on occasion, let’s not forget that in the 189 appearances in Rooney’s career at United, he has received just one red card. Aged 19, he sarcastically applauded referee Kim Milton Nielsen for booking him for a soft challenge, when just seconds before he ignored a more worthy yellow card challenge. Rooney received a second yellow from the limelight loving Nielsen, who sent off David Beckham in the 1998 World Cup. And that’s it, end of the red card story for United’s Wayne Rooney.
“Rooney lives on the edge at times because he plays better that way,” said Terry Butcher. “He sails a bit close to the wind but a player like Rooney has to be like that, he has to be on the edge. His adrenaline has to be really pumping because then you get the best out of him. He is a phenomenal talent.”
If people can’t recognise what Rooney has to offer, then more fool them. Whilst they complain and criticise, we can be more than happy to know that he plays for us, rather than against us, because typically, if the opposition have a Wayne Rooney, you aren’t going to win.
How important to United is Wayne Rooney?
Man Utd News 24/7
great post, i agree completely, well done sir
I endorse everything that you say 100%.Wazza is far more important than the “slave” ever will be. If we do sign Berbatov, expect a phenomenal season from Rooney and Tevez as playing with a target-man with a superb touch will allow them to terrorise defences all over Europe. Also, don’t forget that Wazza is 3-4 years away from peaking. Frightening!
Great read, over the past two seasons in the premiership, combining goals and assists, Rooney has been placed in 2nd, Ronaldo 1st.
Once a blue, always a red.
Wayne is absolutely the life blood of United. You can see his energy game in and game out. He always wants United to win, and he plays for the shirt, for the team . I have never focused on just the goals he scores, as he brings so much more in smart football and dedication.
I agree with you, I f***ing love Rooney. He embodies the Red Devil itself. Pure heart, passion, pace, strength and the skills of a Brazilian.
Its unfair criticism from Pele. What people need to remember is that Rooney had an injury disrupted season last year. He broke his foot on the opening day against Reading and didnt return for another 5 weeks. After his return he went on a 6 of 7 goal scoring streak but yet again he got injured this time in training and he missed another month just after hittting form. As for the statement above that Roony is 3 or 4 years from reaching his peak, well we will see but I dont agree with it. I think the old clichy that players reach there peak at 27 is not true anymore. I think players reach there peak at a younger age in this era of football. I also worry about Rooney’s long term future at United because of his build. Hes naturally a big bloke and that puts alot of pressure on his body and his knees. I think he could become prone to injury like other big players have when they have got older.
Wow. What can i still add to this article? Brilliantly written. Wazza is my favourite player and in my opinion our best player. His direct running bring our game into life. His vision is only bettered by the ginger prince himself. Will sell the whole squad including fergie before i sell him.
but got to admit that at times when he lunge into tackles despite already on a yellow really cause my heart to skip a beat.
UnitedRay I think you went a bit too far when you said you would give up Fergie over Rooney!!!
I agree with Pele i that I cant help but feel that rooney is capable of more. What he is currently doing is great by any player’s standard but you cant help but feel that Rooney is not any player and he carries an aura about him which suggests that he is capable of the fantastic and yet recently it seems to be smothered…we want more of those goals like that scored against Newcastle in the FA cup or hat tricksin Champs Leagues..he Is capable of them !! I’m sure we’ll all agree that he went through a bit of a rough patch last season and we have got to face the fact that his finishing needs to improve…he misses way too many of the chances he works so hard to create…if he can improve in that area we can see the emergence of the greatest striker the modern game has seen
correctly said – dont care what anyone else thinks , for me wazza is the heartbeat of the team . some gooners think van persie is better than rooney , scousers may bring torres into the equation , chavs – well theyve only got abrahamovic in that category . but honestly , as a united fan who watches every single united match i can blindly put my faith in wazza to deliver in every single match , maybe not in terms of goals or assists but definitely for his work rate .
although , unitedray – i do have more faith in sir alex than wazza . if i had to pick one to stay it would be sir alex without so much as a second thought . he is the master of replacing great players with even greater !
Great article as usual. However, Wayne Rooney was sent off twice during his United career. It was against Porto in the Amsterdam Cup, although it was a very harsh decision from another “limelight loving” referee.
There are some players who bring more into the team than just what statistics suggest.
Rooney and Carrick for me in this present team are such guys.
When these guys are on the pitch, somehow there is more urgency and passion and commitment from the team as a whole, not to mention cohesiveness.
And as far as criticism of Rooney is concerned, I think he will always have to live with it, no matter how well he performs. This pressure is what’s common on the shoulders of most prodigies, and its how they handle it that makes them from potentials to all time greats. I for one truly believe that rooney has it in him to end up being one of United’s all time greats along with the likes of sir bobby, best, keane and king eric.
And the harsh criticism of Rooney sometimes reminds me of the cricketing god Sachin Tendulkar. People expect that these guys perform 100% in each and every match.
I am prepared to get destroyed for this, but without questioning or doubting his impact and importance to the team, i actually agree with Pele.
To me, Wayne seems to have lost a step, and his touch isnt what it used to be. When he first burst on the scene for England and his first season with us, he would run directly at defenders and cause absolute havok. Look at the game against France in the Euros when he was practically playing them by himself and I think it was Silvestre actually who brought him down in the box after one of his many charges head on right at the heart of the Frenchy defense.
Now, I dont know, he gives the ball away far far more frequently. And he is always looking to cut back and then find a pass from deep, instead of going forward. He also seems to struggle creating his own shots. Its easier for defenders becuase everyone knows he isnt going to take it on his left side, he is going to cut back onto his right foot every time.
And he used to control games by himself, see the england game against Argentina. Now, I can read a whole match report that doesnt mention his name ONCE. Go read the ManUtd.com report from the match on saturday, I swear it made absolutly no mention of him at all, as if he wasnt even playing. The only comments I saw about him from other forums was that he was running around pissed off and fouling people. I know its just a friendly but still, maybe contribute more than just a few tasty fouls.
I just think he has more to offer. And I honestly think he could replace Scholes and play as a CM. I mean, Scholes started off as a striker also and then got moved back. I mean, Wayne has the determination to track back and can tackle better than Paul. I dont know. I just think that could work out.
agree with the article..however the roon has ben sacrificed by SAF many a time playing in diff positions to compensate for other so called better players. At thats this unslelfish work for the team…eg v barca etc ..has made his game suffer. Even though i admire his loyalty to our cause.
a great player no doubt..but would love him to get better on the one v ones….very very weak part of his game is one v ones…bar chelsea at the bridge.
love him more than ron though…after scholsey me fave player
absolutely, 100% TRUTH. rooney is indispensible. any improvement he makes is more than welcome, but i’d take him over ronaldo any day of the week. completely selfless, totally dedicated, and the hardest-working man on the pitch.
Great article. I worship the ground that guy walks on! He is the one player who makes me feel ultra confident that we will beat anybody put out in front of us when he plays. Fair enough Ronaldo got all the plaudits for his contribution, but Rooney missed a great chunk of last season, yet still had a great goal output, and that’s not taking into account some of the sitters he missed in games – that’s not having a dig, just that I would dread to think what his goal output would of been had he converted half of them. Great player, and already a United legend in my opinion. I feel that anyone who contributes to the kind of success we had like last season deserves that accolade. I sincerely hopes he finishes his career at United. With all due respect to Pele, stick your opinions cos I wouldn’t change this guy for anyone as long as United are winning trophies, of which he has played a massive part in – his stats show it.
Great article!
Rooney became my favourite player when Keano left. We all know what he brings to the team and Pele, legend though he is, should watch EVERY United game before he forms a (wrong) opinion on our Wazza. The boy is United’s engine; full of running, desire and a will to win that will one day become as fearsome and intimidating as our old number 16.
Future captain and very-soon-to-be TRUE Unted legend.
Viva Rooney!!!