Re: Wayne Rooney appreciation thread

[The Franchise]

Wayne got some explaining to do but he can probably pull it.

Simple kiss on the check and Abe Simpson style nap in the arm chair while them thots took pictures.

I say innocent.

[Hapless_Hans]

he did nothing wrong

[CBarca]

You know, I stick by what I said about hi in the first page of this thread, which essentially boiled down to: the guy was a versatile player and didn't score as much as he probably should have because Fergie used his versatility to really play a supporting striker/AM than an out and out striker.

In retrospect, I wonder how much of that was on Fergie, and how much was on Rooney. He was always a stocky player, but how well did he keep in shape? I don't recall the injuries he had, but what happened to the player he was in the first couple years of United.

Seeing his play at his first couple years (first 4-5 years) in United vs the years he played in the last 5 or 6, it was a stark difference. He was somewhat electric in his first couple years iirc. Did Fergie convert him to play deeper because he no longer possessed the speed he once did, or because he didn't keep himself in top shape? Or was it merely something he asked of Rooney for the benefit of the team?

Arguably, Fergie was always searching for a guy who could play the role that later career Rooney did (hence his buying Berbatov for what was a pretty penny at the time), so it just makes me wonder.

United fans or others have any comment?

[Arquitecto]

Rooney had a great gas tank and just never really stopped so thats one. The next is that he had a very underrated creative side that was exploited brilliantly in that role.

Naturally, he was rather unorthodox for a striker and lead the line so well along with being comfortable deeper, that it would be silly not to further use that.


SAF generally sacrificed a lot of player traits just for the overall team so it did not benefit his goal-rate but definitely brought out another dimension to him.

[Arquitecto]

But no doubt weight-gain was an factor since he had poor discipline and pissed away his chances of lengthening his career.

[RealGunner]

You know, I stick by what I said about hi in the first page of this thread, which essentially boiled down to: the guy was a versatile player and didn't score as much as he probably should have because Fergie used his versatility to really play a supporting striker/AM than an out and out striker.

In retrospect, I wonder how much of that was on Fergie, and how much was on Rooney. He was always a stocky player, but how well did he keep in shape? I don't recall the injuries he had, but what happened to the player he was in the first couple years of United.

Seeing his play at his first couple years (first 4-5 years) in United vs the years he played in the last 5 or 6, it was a stark difference. He was somewhat electric in his first couple years iirc. Did Fergie convert him to play deeper because he no longer possessed the speed he once did, or because he didn't keep himself in top shape? Or was it merely something he asked of Rooney for the benefit of the team?

Arguably, Fergie was always searching for a guy who could play the role that later career Rooney did (hence his buying Berbatov for what was a pretty penny at the time), so it just makes me wonder.

United fans or others have any comment?

My honest opinion is that Rooney is probably the best English player i have ever seen in my life. I mean everyone says that he could have gone up another level which is probably true considering his talent but what he achieved despite that is remarkable.

I don't think he was ever a natural 9. He was always a 9.5 and it was just because of his explosiveness he was played upfront because he was that good. I agree he was a great finisher and could have scored 50-100 more if he always played as a 9 but his natural instinct was always to drop deeper. The best United side in my life was where Rooney supported Ronaldo and Tevez. I think that was just his best role in the end. He was the messi before messi.

[El Gunner]

2010 Rooney was a completely different animal
i agree with Arq, Rooney had an underrated creative side to him that needed exploring so it almost would have been criminal not to drop him deeper at some point and let him have a bigger impact on the game.

the best English PL player of all-time imo

[CBarca]

You know, I stick by what I said about hi in the first page of this thread, which essentially boiled down to: the guy was a versatile player and didn't score as much as he probably should have because Fergie used his versatility to really play a supporting striker/AM than an out and out striker.

In retrospect, I wonder how much of that was on Fergie, and how much was on Rooney. He was always a stocky player, but how well did he keep in shape? I don't recall the injuries he had, but what happened to the player he was in the first couple years of United.

Seeing his play at his first couple years (first 4-5 years) in United vs the years he played in the last 5 or 6, it was a stark difference. He was somewhat electric in his first couple years iirc. Did Fergie convert him to play deeper because he no longer possessed the speed he once did, or because he didn't keep himself in top shape? Or was it merely something he asked of Rooney for the benefit of the team?

Arguably, Fergie was always searching for a guy who could play the role that later career Rooney did (hence his buying Berbatov for what was a pretty penny at the time), so it just makes me wonder.

United fans or others have any comment?

My honest opinion is that Rooney is probably the best English player i have ever seen in my life. I mean everyone says that he could have gone up another level which is probably true considering his talent but what he achieved despite that is remarkable.

I don't think he was ever a natural 9. He was always a 9.5 and it was just because of his explosiveness he was played upfront because he was that good. I agree he was a great finisher and could have scored 50-100 more if he always played as a 9 but his natural instinct was always to drop deeper. The best United side in my life was where Rooney supported Ronaldo and Tevez. I think that was just his best role in the end. He was the messi before messi.

As Arq said he was remarkably gifted technically and in his creativity and vision given his general build, temperament, and looks, which all seem more like a bulldog.

This is a nice writeup.

[Glory]

I mean like every English big star names, Rooney too peaked early and kind of slowed down towards the end. Still a remarkable player mind. One of our greats for sure. The constant overhyping and overplaying never helps. Rashford is going down the same route now sadly it seems. The next in the line is probably Saka. As for the Rooney's case, his smoking and other ill habits contributed. Had he looked after himself a tad better, he would have gone on to become one of the all time greats, such was was his scary potential.

[The Franchise]

I think Rooney didnt quite reach his full potential. He was a great player but he had another level he didnt fully reach.

Maybe some of it was the players he had around him, limiting himself to fit in with the collection of talent Utd had, playing all over the place instead of being selfish and insisting on playing his true position. Add that to, surely not the most dedicated off field stuff and probably that's why he didnt reach what I think he could have.

At his best he was very good, everyone has already explained it well.

But the best Rooney I actually saw was him as a 18-19 year old vs France. He was raw as hell (in a good way), he was tearing Thuram, Gallas, Makelele and whoever came across him, a new one.

I genuinely think, as great as we was in other seasons and probably putting up better statistics in some, the 18-19 Rooney was the best one.

[RealGunner]

I genuinely think, as great as we was in other seasons and probably putting up better statistics in some, the 18-19 Rooney was the best one.

It's just funny because you can say the same for Owen lol

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