[versa]

If Not Slave has such a thread, surely Rooney deserves at least the same.

The latest accolades from Ferdinand describes precisely why he is such an important player even if he does not score more than we hope for.

And with Fergie promising to revert him back to his central role, will this season well be the season in which Rooney will truly come of age? I do have a good feeling about it and I think the odds are highly in his favour as his play matures.


Wayne Rooney's just too good
Simon Mullock, sundaymirror.co.uk 3/08/2008

Rio Ferdinand reckons Wayne Rooney is worth two players to English and European champions Manchester United.

Cristiano Ronaldo's 42-goal club haul hogged the headlines last season, but Rooney weighed in with 18 strikes of his own - and set up almost as many more for his team-mates.

Ferdinand believes that the England striker showed a maturity beyond his 22 years for the Reds last season - and warned that defenders at home and abroad really will be running scared if Sir Alex Ferguson is able to recruit a big-name forward like Dimitar Berbatov to help take the strain.

"The thing about Wayne Rooney is that his whole game is based around being a team player," said Ferdinand.

"He will play on the right, on the left or through the middle.

"You will see him chasing back to make tackles in the left-back position. The fella would even play in goal.

"You get so much more from him than most players. It's like having two players in a sense because he does so much work. That means you sometimes don't see the skills, frills and showboating that you see with some other players. But what you do get from Wazza is an end product.

"Fans don't always notice sheer hard work. They only recognise the tricks and the frills but, believe me, the other United players appreciate what Wayne does for the team.

"I couldn't believe it when people said that Wayne didn't have a great season last year. All I can say is that the man must have set himself some very high standards.

"He is what being a Manchester United player is all about. He scored 18 goals and had almost as many assists - despite being asked to play out of position for much of the time.

"Most players would be delighted with that kind of contribution. But if you ask me whether I would prefer a player to score 25 goals and make two assists ahead of Wayne then I would have to say no.

"Wayne is known as a striker, so people look at his goalscoring. Eighteen goals isn't bad, but when you look at how he sacrificed himself for the team then it was phenomenal."

Now Ferguson has indicated that Rooney will be allowed to develop his natural role playing alongside a conventional target man next season.

Berbatov remains the United manager's No.1 choice - but only if Tottenham significantly reduce their £38million asking price.

Ferdinand added: "We have got to wait and see what the manager does in the transfer market with regard to a striker.

"But Louis Saha was unfit for most of last season and, to be honest, if he had been OK then we would have won the title a lot sooner than we eventually did.

"Wayne was forced to take on a lot of responsibility. At times, he was leading the line by himself.

"And in a few years' time I think that people will look back and realise what an amazing achievement that was for such a young player in a team that won the Premier League and Champions League.

"Bloody hell, he did well. Maybe there are times when he needs to be more selfish, but that's Wayne Rooney.

"If he gets to play down the middle in 30 games next season then he will score us at least 20 goals.

"But the important thing is that we get the same level of performance from him next season.

"If he scores 18 goals and makes as many as he did last season, everyone at United will be very happy."

"Wayne Rooney's game is based around being a team player"

"If he scores 18 goals and makes as many as he did last season, everyone will be very happy"

"Wayne chases back to make tackles in every position. He'd play in goal"

 

[abojodeh]

Versa You Are My Here
good thread
i made a thread for rooney news but the thread is lost
great thread great player

Edit i found it http://www.manutdtalk.com/forums/man-utd-chat/13062-hargreaves-backing-rooney.html

 

[versa]

mirror

Wayne Rooney says his red card days are over

Wayne Rooney faces Villarreal in the Champions League tomorrow admitting his red card against the Spanish club three years ago was the wake-up call he needed to improve his conduct on the pitch.

Rooney was given a second yellow when he sarcastically applauded referee Kim Milton Neilson in Manchester United's 1-1 draw at El Madrigal.

Since then, he has not been sent off in a competitive game for his club.

"Yeah, it was a reality check for me," said the 22-year-old. "It was a ridiculous thing to do.

When I was in the dressing room when I got sent off I was just thinking 'Why have I just done that?'

"I learned from that. I made sure I did. It was a big turning point. You don't want to be in the dressing room wondering what you could be doing for the team if you were still out there."

United will be without Paul Scholes against Villarreal. He is suspended after his sending-off in the UEFA Super Cup Final against Zenit St Petersburg.

Rooney's cards since his sending off in Villarreal on September 14 2005:

2005-6: 9 yellow 0 red
2006-7: 9 yellow 0 red
2007-8: 12 yellow 1 red
2008-9: 1 yellow 0 red

Edit: Additional quotes from same interview:

telegraph

“I like to think that I’ve calmed down a bit. I’m still likely to get a yellow card for a mistimed tackle, which can happen to anyone, or for going in a bit too hard. But I’ve put a stop to offences like dissent and kicking the ball away, those really stupid things for which I used to get a yellow card.

“It was daft, getting suspended just for arguing with the ref.”

 

[eoininho]

I'm desperately worried about Rooney... he really needs to be given a decent run in his preferred position,,, I'd prefer to see him start on the bench than to be wasted on the wings again...

If he left I dont think I'd ever get over it!

 

[jerrakos]

I'm desperately worried about Rooney... he really needs to be given a decent run in his preferred position,,, I'd prefer to see him start on the bench than to be wasted on the wings again...

If he left I dont think I'd ever get over it!

totally agree mate
wasted on the wings

 

[CROoney]

my god , i have so many words but i don't know where to start to describe wayne rooney...it would be a lot easier on croatian...but to sum it all up - we certainly won't see the player we all thought he would develope into after seeing him on euro 2004... he can still provide a bit of magic but i think we should make him the new paul scholes...he is a very similar player and they have had the similar history...both of them started as an attackers but eventually they both were pushed behind strikers ...they both have that spark that leads the team forward..i'm only frustrated because i said a couple of years ago - it's only a matter of time before the lad becomes the best player in the world - and let us all be honest - he has stagnated... he is still a very good player, a world class player who would find his spot in an every team in the world but the most frustrating thing about him are his dribbles...he ALWAYS, ALWAYS sets the ball on his right foot , he never seems to do a step over at kicks it on the left but always on his right which makes him very predictable and unable to beat men when running 1 on 1 or even 1 on 2...

 

[evrasourbestplayer]

sorry, but wayne rooney is really testing my patience. on last season and this seasons form, hes our worst player. i dont care how much he tracks back, especially if its to give away free kicks that teams score from. if he doesnt start improving im going to start booing him at games.

 

[versa]

sorry, but wayne rooney is really testing my patience. on last season and this seasons form, hes our worst player. i dont care how much he tracks back, especially if its to give away free kicks that teams score from. if he doesnt start improving im going to start booing him at games.

You can't be more blunt than that.

But I can see where you are coming from. I believe for many frustrated fans alike too.

 

[reddwarf]

sorry, but wayne rooney is really testing my patience. on last season and this seasons form, hes our worst player. i dont care how much he tracks back, especially if its to give away free kicks that teams score from. if he doesnt start improving im going to start booing him at games.

That's a ridiculous comment. You'll look like a complete idiot booing on your own.

Rooney may not have fulfilled the potential he showed at Euro 2004 but he's still one of our best players. He scored 17 goals last season, 12 in the Premiership, his passing, vision and workrate are World class.

The fact that he was preferred to Tevez, who was brilliant for us last month, for the Chelsea game speaks volumes about how important Fergie feels he is to the side.

 

[Jay007]

Theres no doubt in my mind that Rooney's best position is behind the main striker.

However, how on Earth he ever got into the team ahead of Tevez is one of lifes debatable questions, like "what happens after we die?"

Okay, that might sound a bit harsh and exaggerated. But I said after Berbatov signed that Tevez would end up being dropped, no matter how well he was playing and its worked out that way.

I'm still delighted that Rooney is a part of our team. Hes a fantastic player when on top form. However, his form has been poor recently, and no matter how good he is he isn't an "invincible".

 

[scottsati]

agree he hasn't gone on to fulfill the potential expected of him but is it really his fault? the guy's workrate and tracking back is amazing..yes he does commit silly fouls be thats something he is learning all the time and improving on if the coaches have any clue. as to him not filfilling his potential being played out of position and him contsantly having to be played within a sysytem to accomadate other is the main reason...think we should be playing him where hes best and building theteam around him ( he aint a ronaldo the guy is here for the long term without problems) so lets get the best from him

 

[Jesus Hitler]

Theres no doubt in my mind that Rooney's best position is behind the main striker.

However, how on Earth he ever got into the team ahead of Tevez is one of lifes debatable questions, like "what happens after we die?"

Okay, that might sound a bit harsh and exaggerated. But I said after Berbatov signed that Tevez would end up being dropped, no matter how well he was playing and its worked out that way.

I'm still delighted that Rooney is a part of our team. Hes a fantastic player when on top form. However, his form has been poor recently, and no matter how good he is he isn't an "invincible".

i have to agree with that statement 100%

on form basis tevez should of started yesterday no doubt in my mind, i dont question fergies choice at all rooney had a good match IMO bar one moment of madness to give away the freekick.

i firmly beleive tevez would of come on as a sub if VDS had not got injured, but ones hopeing that we dont see him on the bench all the time, rooney shouldnt be benched but some times you have to take one for the team and at the moment tevez should be the man to sit behind berbatov

i think rooney was started yesterday cause fergie wants him to score to get his confedance back which is good but id like to see tevez start next game

 

[Jay007]

i have to agree with that statement 100%

on form basis tevez should of started yesterday no doubt in my mind, i dont question fergies choice at all rooney had a good match IMO bar one moment of madness to give away the freekick.

i firmly beleive tevez would of come on as a sub if VDS had not got injured, but ones hopeing that we dont see him on the bench all the time, rooney shouldnt be benched but some times you have to take one for the team and at the moment tevez should be the man to sit behind berbatov

i think rooney was started yesterday cause fergie wants him to score to get his confedance back which is good but id like to see tevez start next game

Of course, Rooney had a good game apart from the reckless challenge. But we didn't know that before the game (and not starting Tevez should be a crime ).

I understand Rooney needs to play to get his confidence up.

But the team should come before an individual, and right now playing Tevez before Rooney is the best choice.

 

[scottsati]

Of course, Rooney had a good game apart from the reckless challenge. But we didn't know that before the game (and not starting Tevez should be a crime ).

I understand Rooney needs to play to get his confidence up.

But the team should come before an individual, and right now playing Tevez before Rooney is the best choice.

do you think its rooney's fault though he cant buy a goal or because he's been asked to do this n that play wide etc and ultimately aint been played in the right place to score goals?? seems he suffers same fate at england level..the lone striker thing was ridiculous whereas other day he had some support from heskey n bagged one

 

[Jesus Hitler]

Of course, Rooney had a good game apart from the reckless challenge. But we didn't know that before the game (and not starting Tevez should be a crime ).

I understand Rooney needs to play to get his confidence up.

But the team should come before an individual, and right now playing Tevez before Rooney is the best choice.

to right mate too right,

and about his challange if you watch the highlights ronaldo had gone upfront were rooneywas playing and rooney played on the right which is where he commited the foul

surely ronaldo is a winger not a striker so why the swap?!?!?! thats the question i was asking my self after that freekick was awarded.

if rooney was playing in his correct place that freekick would of never been given imo

although i still always thought chelski would score

 

[Jay007]

do you think its rooney's fault though he cant buy a goal or because he's been asked to do this n that play wide etc and ultimately aint been played in the right place to score goals?? seems he suffers same fate at england level..the lone striker thing was ridiculous whereas other day he had some support from heskey n bagged one

Don't get me wrong, I'm not slating Rooney for not scoring just now.

Of course, being shifted around doesn't help. He should be played down the centre, preferably off the front man. Hes not a right winger, a left-winger, etc. Hes a Striker/Supporting Striker.

However, Tevez deserves to play over Rooney right not because Rooney isn't on form, where as Tevez's form is fantastic. Tevez has been our best player this season.

And we can't afford to keep playing an off-form Rooney to try to help him get his confidence back IF its not the best thing for the team.

 

[Jesus Hitler]

do you think its rooney's fault though he cant buy a goal or because he's been asked to do this n that play wide etc and ultimately aint been played in the right place to score goals?? seems he suffers same fate at england level..the lone striker thing was ridiculous whereas other day he had some support from heskey n bagged one

and no its not rooneys falt sadly hes not a striker with the scoring record of say torres or berbatov

for me rooney is far more important to united than just a goal scorer for me the football flows through him and scholes, and not having rooney would be a massive loss to united i shall never slate the man

 

[Jay007]

if rooney was playing in his correct place that freekick would of never been given imo

although i still always thought chelski would score

Possibly.

But he should think more about going in like that no matter what position hes playing.

and no its not rooneys falt sadly hes not a striker with the scoring record of say torres or berbatov

for me rooney is far more important to united than just a goal scorer for me the football flows through him and scholes, and not having rooney would be a massive loss to united i shall never slate the man

I absolutely agree.

Hes not in the team to score 25-30 goals a season and he does add a hell of a lot to the side.

Anything between 15-20 goals from Rooney, if your counting all his work and assists, is a good return I would say.

 

[scottsati]

and no its not rooneys falt sadly hes not a striker with the scoring record of say torres or berbatov

for me rooney is far more important to united than just a goal scorer for me the football flows through him and scholes, and not having rooney would be a massive loss to united i shall never slate the man

good call no matter what you think of the guy cant believe anyone would give the guy grief on the pitch or start booing him...you gotta support the guys on the pitch

 

[Jay007]

good call no matter what you think of the guy cant believe anyone would give the guy grief on the pitch or start booing him...you gotta support the guys on the pitch

Absolutely.

No matter what you think of any player, when their on the pitch wearing the colours of your team, you should support them as much as you can.