Wayne Rooney - The 'unforgiven'

Such has been his fortune, with arguably the finest season in terms of goalscoring, he could not lead his side to any silverware and that prompted Sir Alex to take emergency action the following season as Dimitar Berbatov became the central striker while Rooney played around him. With a woeful and shockingly disappointing World Cup’10 for the striker, Rooney’s form and temperament were both being questioned. A frustrated Rooney blurted into the camera after the English players were booed off the pitch by the fans, an action for which he had to later apologize. While he continued to struggle on the pitch, failing to shake off the poor form he had picked up during World Cup, Berbatov continued to score in front of goal; Wayne Rooney was a frustrated man. When he scored his first hat trick of the season against West Ham, he ran to the camera and used offensive language and eventually ended up being banned for two games. The season was going from bad to worse for Rooney.

New season brings in new fortune and tidings. Sir Alex once again shifted Rooney to the central striker role while Berbatov had to play behind him. Rooney rediscovered his confidence and form once again as he kept scoring goals and matched his 2009-10 season’s tally of 34. Despite Rooney’s herculean efforts, United lost out to their bitter city rivals in the race to the title just on goal difference. Déjà vu.

Sir Alex’s quest to conquer the title back from their ‘noisy neighbours’ meant he would spend, and just like Cristiano Ronaldo had once arrived to stunt the growth of Rooney, Robin Van Persie arrived and did the same. Déjà vu, again. Inspite of having Rooney, Chicharito and Berbatov among his ranks, Fergie made a move for the Dutchman in the summer. What has never ceased to amaze me is why he would want to sign a new striker given the fact United managed to score four goals less than City, and conceded four more the previous season. Why not spend that money to bring in a central midfielder to strengthen that department, since our midfield was continuously being run over by stronger teams? Was he doubtful about Rooney’s ability to duplicate his performances the following season? Or did he want him to pair up with Van Persie, creating the most feared striking partnership in Europe? If that be the case indeed, why buy a central attacking midfielder like Shinji Kagawa as well? Even though the transfers brought joy to the fans, for some it remained a mystery as to what exactly Fergie was trying to attempt.

However, like it has been for the past two decades, Fergie’s gamble paid off as they ended the season as the Champions of England. Rooney was dropped just in the second match of the season for Van Persie, who scored an emphatic volley to become a favourite at the Stretford end while a gloomy Rooney looked on. The number 10 came on in the second half and as luck would have it, he ended up injured and missed football for the next four weeks. While most would argue as this season being among his worst seasons, I refuse to believe so. Despite being used in almost every different position that there is on a football field, Rooney delivered every time he played – be it as a central midfielder or as a wing forward. He notched up twelve league goals and ten assists, being the second best United player in terms of goal contribution this season behind Van Persie. Impressive statistics for a center forward who has been playing out of position for most of the time so as to accommodate the myriad of attacking talent at the club. But just for the human powers of imagination’s sake, how drastically would have those numbers changed had Rooney been played as the central striker?

He has always been revered as one of the finest strikers of the world but never got his due as he has always been eclipsed by somebody else in the squad; he has never complained. With a supposedly disappointing campaign under his belt, it would be interesting to see which clubs come in if he chooses to leave. What price do United place on him and what are the rest willing to pay for him remains to be seen but if I were Moyes, I would not sell him for a fortune. Because a team might have strikers, midfielder and wingers but none of them have a Rooney.

With his future still undecided, it is clear what Rooney wants to do i.e. play football and score more goals, just like everyone thought he would when he scored against Arsenal for Everton. It is a shame if the fans fail to see through his transfer request and understand the reasons behind it, his passion for the game and love towards the club – you cannot fake either.