There are few things that divide United fans quite like Wayne Rooney. The Scouse-lad-turned-red is categorised as anything from persona non grata to ultimate hero, and dropping his name into a red circle can be tantamount to igniting a flame in a petrol station.
Until 2010 its safe to say it was a united front – fans loved him, and he appeared to thrive on the enormity of the club. That was until 2010 when, out of the blue, the striker asked for a transfer.
Citing the club’s lack of ambition in the transfer market, he appeared to have reached the point of no return as his comments insulted both the decision-makers at the club AND his own team mates.
Despite the cease-fire – his silence secured with pacifying talks… and a new 250k-a-week contact – many fans have never really forgiven him for considering defecting to Manchester City.
Some did make their way back to the adoration levels of pre 2010 whilst others always retained that slight grudge that he was able to hold the club to ransom. Maybe those people aren’t too surprised that events appear to be repeating.
Ironically miffed by his partial relegation to the substitutes bench by Sir Alex Ferguson at the end of last season, Wayne has become the victim of what he wanted to happen. The signing of Robin Van Persie last summer gave the fans a new hero, and suddenly Rooney had to share the spotlight.
Whatever your opinion of his reaction to this situation, on and off the pitch, even Rooney’s staunchest supporter cannot argue that United’s number 10 has fulfilled the potential shown by the teenager who pulled on the number 8 shirt when he signed in 2004.
His work rate is never in doubt, but in recent times he’s played with more of a snarl on his face than a smile, and when you think he was on a par with Cristiano Ronaldo for game changing influence just a few years ago, you have to wonder if he could’ve enjoyed a similar development had he committed himself to the same lifestyle.
That’s not to say the 2013 Wayne Rooney is a poor player, but he has not reacted well to being played out of position, and in many people’s opinion almost looks to have gone stale. Sure there’s still that chance of magic – his strike against Norwich towards the back end of last season as an example – but ask yourself how many recent games you can remember where he has stamped his authority in the same way as he used to a couple of years ago.
The problem is this leaves United in a difficult situation. If the player has gone stale at United, he’s unhappy and feels unloved. Do they really want to be a part of reinvigorating him? But then what’s the point of keeping a player who may not produce the goods?
As I write, it is being reported Rooney is formulating his written transfer request after United rebuffed two offers from Chelsea. With experience it appears inevitable the player will get his way – the only hope being that some European superpower appears over the horizon and turns his head from Stamford Bridge.
We’ve been on the right side of this so often that we know the course of events all too well, Robin van Persie the most recent example of the power a player has over choosing his new employers. Eventually the selling club has to cut their losses and get the best deal they can.
Of course all is not lost, and if you stand in the camp that believe that David Moyes should attempt to move heaven and earth to shackle Rooney to the Old Trafford drainpipe, you may yet get your wish.
But my worry is how that compromises the club I love. We pride ourselves on being different from the rest, NEVER bowing down to players, however talented. That was tarnished in 2010. Should we suffer the embarrassment of having to persuade the same player to stay at Old Trafford a second time?
Do you really want to pay to watch a player who doesn’t appreciate playing for the club? Do you want to see United begging players to stay?
Don’t misunderstand me – I’ve been around players in my work long enough to know that for most it is simply a job, the “love” for the club is not even in the same stratosphere as the passion we feel. But there should be fundamental respect, an appreciation of the fortuity to be able to wear that shirt, and a care for those in the stands who elevate them onto the pedestal.
Sure, the squad will be weakened if Rooney does make his way out of the Old Trafford exit door. And I will be as disappointed as anyone else to lose a player we’ve nurtured for almost nine years. But Manchester United must remain bigger than the loss of any player.
I guess I’ve come to the conclusion that tomorrow is more important than today. And if sacrificing Rooney ensures the club remains true to its traditions then it may be a blow we just have to endure.
Life aboard the Manchester United roller coaster 
The Rooney Question…
Which side of the fence are you on?
There are few things that divide United fans quite like Wayne Rooney. The Scouse-lad-turned-red is categorised as anything from persona non grata to ultimate hero, and dropping his name into a red circle can be tantamount to igniting a flame in a petrol station.
Until 2010 its safe to say it was a united front – fans loved him, and he appeared to thrive on the enormity of the club. That was until 2010 when, out of the blue, the striker asked for a transfer.
Citing the club’s lack of ambition in the transfer market, he appeared to have reached the point of no return as his comments insulted both the decision-makers at the club AND his own team mates.
Despite the cease-fire – his silence secured with pacifying talks… and a new 250k-a-week contact – many fans have never really forgiven him for considering defecting to Manchester City.
Some did make their way back to the adoration levels of pre 2010 whilst others always retained that slight grudge that he was able to hold the club to ransom. Maybe those people aren’t too surprised that events appear to be repeating.
Ironically miffed by his partial relegation to the substitutes bench by Sir Alex Ferguson at the end of last season, Wayne has become the victim of what he wanted to happen. The signing of Robin Van Persie last summer gave the fans a new hero, and suddenly Rooney had to share the spotlight.
Whatever your opinion of his reaction to this situation, on and off the pitch, even Rooney’s staunchest supporter cannot argue that United’s number 10 has fulfilled the potential shown by the teenager who pulled on the number 8 shirt when he signed in 2004.
His work rate is never in doubt, but in recent times he’s played with more of a snarl on his face than a smile, and when you think he was on a par with Cristiano Ronaldo for game changing influence just a few years ago, you have to wonder if he could’ve enjoyed a similar development had he committed himself to the same lifestyle.
That’s not to say the 2013 Wayne Rooney is a poor player, but he has not reacted well to being played out of position, and in many people’s opinion almost looks to have gone stale. Sure there’s still that chance of magic – his strike against Norwich towards the back end of last season as an example – but ask yourself how many recent games you can remember where he has stamped his authority in the same way as he used to a couple of years ago.
The problem is this leaves United in a difficult situation. If the player has gone stale at United, he’s unhappy and feels unloved. Do they really want to be a part of reinvigorating him? But then what’s the point of keeping a player who may not produce the goods?
As I write, it is being reported Rooney is formulating his written transfer request after United rebuffed two offers from Chelsea. With experience it appears inevitable the player will get his way – the only hope being that some European superpower appears over the horizon and turns his head from Stamford Bridge.
We’ve been on the right side of this so often that we know the course of events all too well, Robin van Persie the most recent example of the power a player has over choosing his new employers. Eventually the selling club has to cut their losses and get the best deal they can.
Of course all is not lost, and if you stand in the camp that believe that David Moyes should attempt to move heaven and earth to shackle Rooney to the Old Trafford drainpipe, you may yet get your wish.
But my worry is how that compromises the club I love. We pride ourselves on being different from the rest, NEVER bowing down to players, however talented. That was tarnished in 2010. Should we suffer the embarrassment of having to persuade the same player to stay at Old Trafford a second time?
Do you really want to pay to watch a player who doesn’t appreciate playing for the club? Do you want to see United begging players to stay?
Don’t misunderstand me – I’ve been around players in my work long enough to know that for most it is simply a job, the “love” for the club is not even in the same stratosphere as the passion we feel. But there should be fundamental respect, an appreciation of the fortuity to be able to wear that shirt, and a care for those in the stands who elevate them onto the pedestal.
Sure, the squad will be weakened if Rooney does make his way out of the Old Trafford exit door. And I will be as disappointed as anyone else to lose a player we’ve nurtured for almost nine years. But Manchester United must remain bigger than the loss of any player.
I guess I’ve come to the conclusion that tomorrow is more important than today. And if sacrificing Rooney ensures the club remains true to its traditions then it may be a blow we just have to endure.
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