Are Wayne Rooney's United days numbered?

August 25, 2012. Manchester United‘s first home game of the new season was exciting but before the excitement could start, the United faithful were in for a shock. Their main man, numero uno striker and talisman was benched, to put it politely, after an average display at Goodison Park. Wazza seemed out of shape, disoriented and had a heavy touch. Normally, Rooney would be given the liberty of having a couple of bad games until finding his groove. But with the arrivals of Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa, this time would be different. To make matters worse, not only was Wayne benched, he also got himself injured after coming on. An injury which apparently shocked the doctors who stitched him up.

The gaffer’s first prognosis was that Wazza would be out for a month, while the British media, not the kindest to Rooney, say he’ll be out for 2 months.

So where does this leave Wayne Rooney?

His england career is safe. There’s no point in arguing about that as England can ill afford to miss him for he is their best player. But what about Manchester United? Is Rooney still the man Sir Alex wants to build his last great team around?

You bet he is!

For all that is being said about RvP being Rooney’s replacement, the United faithful will know that the former was more of a statement of intent, that United would do anything to reclaim their title. Sure van Persie brings in variety with his penchant for set pieces, his out of the world left foot and his ability to drop into pockets, but one has to remember, RvP is 29 with at least two seasons of goals left in him. Contrast that with Wayne Rooney, who at 26, is entering the so called prime of a footballer.

He can only get better, shades of which were evident last season, when he scored 30 goals. Many people say RvP carried Arsenal to 3rd place but were it not for Wazza, United would’ve meekly surrendered in the title race. Rooney is a manger’s delight. He can play wherever the team wants him to. Be it in midfield or defending set pieces, he gives it his all. Sir Alex was the first person to notice that and he’s no ordinary person to just let Rooney go. He knows what he has got with Wayne Rooney on hand.

But every good thing is always associated some anomalies. Rooney’s relationship with Ferguson in the past has been always scrutinized,with media always speculating where Rooney would head next. But if there’s anyone who can turn Wayne Rooney around, its Sir Alex Ferguson. He has already done it once in 2010 and you shouldn’t be surprised if he comes back sharper, leaner, fitter and hungrier than ever!

So all those hopeful souls who think that Rooney and United will part ways, well, it can only be called as wishful thinking.