-zuco-
20-02-2008, 03:33 PM
I read this article in the Manchester Evening News yesterday. It's written by a bluenose and whilst he is praising Rooney, some of his phrases still annoyed me! What do you think of it?
MANY times in this column down the years I've stated that there was no such thing as a one-man team.
But, as usual, I've been talking tripe. Who is that indispensable player?
Is it the Arsenal goal-scoring machine Emmanuel Adebayor?
Is it the wizard of the dribble, touch-me-and-I'll-collapse Cristano Ronaldo?
Is it John Terry, the impregnable rock at the heart of Chelsea's defence?
None of the above.
The one priceless, indispensable player is a bulky young Liverpudlian who looks more like a brickie than a footballer.
Yes, you've guessed it. It's the Rooney Monster.
Did you see him against Arsenal at the weekend? Words can't describe the impact he had on that cup tie.
The nearest I can get is "awesome''.
The Gunners looked mesmerised by young Wayne. And so was I watching the match on my new flat screen telly (three yards wide) from the comfort of my luxury abode in the Garden Village of Hazel Grove. Showing off much?
We've all come to take Rooney for granted in his years at Old Trafford, don't you think?
Occasion
They say you only miss a truly great player when he's not there.
And when Rooney doesn't play United don't quite hit top gear either.
Do you think it's just co-incidence that the Rags have lost four matches this season and on every occasion the Rooney monster wasn't playing?
Don't start talking about Ronaldo's goals.
Yes, he's a superb player, but without Rooney alongside him, he can vanish.
Think back to the derby where he did a disappearing trick David Copperfield would have been proud of.
And don't give me that claptrap that United were overcome by the occasion.
Yes, the Munich tributes were poignant and fantastically observed.
But I've played professional football (occasionally) and I can tell you that once that whistle blows you think of nothing other than the business at hand.
United were trounced by God's Own Club for one reason only - they were Rooneyless.
I've seen some wonderful players in red shirts down the years - Georgie Best, Bobby Charlton, King Denis - I even go as far back as the man mountain Duncan Edwards.
But as great as they were the Reds always seemed to cope if they were injured, suspended.
United today can't get by without the Rooney Monster.
That's not just me saying it - the statistics never lie.
In the unlikely event that he's learnt to read (Scousers don't take to reading unless it's the Beano) I would like to take the opportunity to invite young Wayne to come and sample one of my world famous salad butties at Hince Mansions.
Prize
You'll enjoy yourself Wayne.
A glass of Davenport's Beer At Home and then I'll take your squeeze Colleen for a session of Mecca bingo in Stockport.
They've upped the grand prize to £8.
The legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly once said of the Preston plumber Sir Tom Finney that you could play him in any position - in his overcoat - and he would still be the man of the match.
I would like to apply that tribute to Rooney today.
My admiration of him knows no bounds - and this is coming from a Bitter Blue.
In fact if Sir Taggart lets him go on a free transfer I'll personally see that Swedish Sven finds a place for him at Eastlands.
No praise comes higher than that.
Source (http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1037243_hince_rooney_monster_can_devour_all)
MANY times in this column down the years I've stated that there was no such thing as a one-man team.
But, as usual, I've been talking tripe. Who is that indispensable player?
Is it the Arsenal goal-scoring machine Emmanuel Adebayor?
Is it the wizard of the dribble, touch-me-and-I'll-collapse Cristano Ronaldo?
Is it John Terry, the impregnable rock at the heart of Chelsea's defence?
None of the above.
The one priceless, indispensable player is a bulky young Liverpudlian who looks more like a brickie than a footballer.
Yes, you've guessed it. It's the Rooney Monster.
Did you see him against Arsenal at the weekend? Words can't describe the impact he had on that cup tie.
The nearest I can get is "awesome''.
The Gunners looked mesmerised by young Wayne. And so was I watching the match on my new flat screen telly (three yards wide) from the comfort of my luxury abode in the Garden Village of Hazel Grove. Showing off much?
We've all come to take Rooney for granted in his years at Old Trafford, don't you think?
Occasion
They say you only miss a truly great player when he's not there.
And when Rooney doesn't play United don't quite hit top gear either.
Do you think it's just co-incidence that the Rags have lost four matches this season and on every occasion the Rooney monster wasn't playing?
Don't start talking about Ronaldo's goals.
Yes, he's a superb player, but without Rooney alongside him, he can vanish.
Think back to the derby where he did a disappearing trick David Copperfield would have been proud of.
And don't give me that claptrap that United were overcome by the occasion.
Yes, the Munich tributes were poignant and fantastically observed.
But I've played professional football (occasionally) and I can tell you that once that whistle blows you think of nothing other than the business at hand.
United were trounced by God's Own Club for one reason only - they were Rooneyless.
I've seen some wonderful players in red shirts down the years - Georgie Best, Bobby Charlton, King Denis - I even go as far back as the man mountain Duncan Edwards.
But as great as they were the Reds always seemed to cope if they were injured, suspended.
United today can't get by without the Rooney Monster.
That's not just me saying it - the statistics never lie.
In the unlikely event that he's learnt to read (Scousers don't take to reading unless it's the Beano) I would like to take the opportunity to invite young Wayne to come and sample one of my world famous salad butties at Hince Mansions.
Prize
You'll enjoy yourself Wayne.
A glass of Davenport's Beer At Home and then I'll take your squeeze Colleen for a session of Mecca bingo in Stockport.
They've upped the grand prize to £8.
The legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly once said of the Preston plumber Sir Tom Finney that you could play him in any position - in his overcoat - and he would still be the man of the match.
I would like to apply that tribute to Rooney today.
My admiration of him knows no bounds - and this is coming from a Bitter Blue.
In fact if Sir Taggart lets him go on a free transfer I'll personally see that Swedish Sven finds a place for him at Eastlands.
No praise comes higher than that.
Source (http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1037243_hince_rooney_monster_can_devour_all)