Open letter to new Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney

Manchester United’s new captain – Wayne Rooney

Dear Rooney,

Many congratulations on being named as the new Manchester United captain.

Wow, what an honour! It’s something that millions of people around the globe can only dream of, and you are now one of the select few to have the privilege to steer the ship of one of the biggest football clubs in the world. I can feel the goosebumps while I am just trying to pen this down, so I can only imagine what it would be like to be in your shoes right now and feel the adrenaline and the multitude of emotions that you would be going through. A feeling that is beyond description.

I am sure you must be absolutely thrilled and excited to take on this new role at Old Trafford. Just as when you were signing the contract ten years ago when you decided to jump off the Merseyside ship to land on Manchester’s port.

Did you feel any nervous back then? Ah, of course not! And if there was any such feeling whatsoever, you simply shrugged it off on that famous European night at Old Trafford when you scored those three sumptuous goals on your debut against Fenerbahce.

Talk about hitting the ground running – just as those balls went nestling into the net, you went bustling straight into the every Manchester United fan’s heart. And none more so than mine. Being a football fan who just started following the game and one who was on a lookout for a hero to idolize, you were that awakening knock on the door of the vacant room inside my heart. And mind you, even today, after a decade, when it’s ultra cool to idolize players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar, I still take huge pride in calling you as my favourite footballer.

Because ever since that day at Old Trafford, when you showed us the glimpse of what is expected from you in the coming years, you have given your all in terms of passion and desire that you have always displayed while putting on the Manchester United shirt. Even during those days when Ronaldo was taking away all the plaudits, I was one of those who firmly believed that it was actually you, who, with that tireless work ethic and unerring adaptability, were the brakes, the steering wheel and the engine room of the Manchester United juggernaut that rolled over everything that came in its way.

Having said that, however, everything was not rosy during this decade and there were certainly some moments when you almost lost all my respect that you had gained over all those years. None more so during that moment of madness in 2010 when you let your mind and heart drift away and questioned the ambitions of Manchester United as a football club. I was totally devastated, to say the least.

I remained so until you had a change of heart, apologized and scored that wondrous bicycle kick five months later in that epic Manchester derby which won back my admiration again. However, trust me, not all United fans have been so forgiving and there are many admirers that you had lost in that one moment which you had previously won over with years of dedication.

Wayne Rooney scores the winning goal in the Manchester Derby at Old Trafford in 2011.

People say you have not been the same Manchester United warrior ever since. The desire has dipped, the passion has passed over and the work ethic has worn off. And, to be honest, however hard I may try to counter the arguments that are raised against you, somewhere deep down in my heart, I somehow feel that those people are somewhat correct. And it really hurts to see someone whom you once idolized turn into a mere shadow of his former self.

I don’t really care what the people have to say about you, because I still believe that you are simply a world class player when you have your mind and soul dedicated to Manchester United. It is that connect that you have with the club that really makes you a world beater. So what do you think you can do to resurrect this, to re-ignite that passion and firmly re-instate yourself inside the hearts of everyone associated with Manchester United?

I think all that you need to do, to win back all those admirers that you have already lost as well as all those, like me, who still love you but cannot currently say the same without a hiccup, is to have an opportunity where you can showcase the world that the fire in the belly whenever you wear that famous red shirt hasn’t yet been extinguished.

And here you are today, mostly because of your familiar passionate performances last season, being given the Manchester United captain’s armband. Just as a lost wanderer sees a ray of light at the end of a dark tunnel, I feel this is a perfect opportunity to stamp your name again into every United supporters’ heart.

So do you feel nervous again right now? I hope not. And even if you do, I seriously hope that when you wear the captain’s armband for the first time and walk into that famous red tunnel at Old Trafford, you shrug it off in the same manner as you did ten years ago when you wore the United jersey for the first time and carry on the performances just like you did before. All of us want to see the re-invention of Wayne Rooney in a Manchester United shirt with the captain’s armband.

I, as a United fan, and the players now look up to you to carry on the legacy of all the stalwarts who have given their blood and sweat while wearing their heart on their sleeves. Just look at the players who have worn it before – Nemanja Vidic, Gary Neville, Roy Keane, Eric Cantona, Bryan Robson – to name a few from Premier League era and you’ll realize what has been asked of you.

Wayne Rooney lifts the 2014 International Champions Cup with Darren Fletcher after beating Liverpool in the final.

So go on, Wayne. Seize the opportunity and take the league by storm this season. Forget the ones who have always doubted you, but do it for the ones, like me, who have always stood by you through thick and thin and intend to stand by you forever.

I always knew that you would one day captain this great football club. And today, when this has become a reality, I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that you will do justice to the duties that you have been given and, in few years time, you will regain all the love, support and the status that you richly and truly deserve.

Thank you very much!

A Manchester United fan.

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