I can probably count on one hand the amount of real Manchester United supporters who genuinely want Wayne Rooney to leave. He has been a high quality performer over the last ten years, scoring hundreds of goals, including more than a few memorable ones. Consistently, throughout the years of superstar names at the club such as Ruud van Nistelrooy, Cristiano Ronaldo and Robin van Persie, he has been on the same level as them, if not higher (okay, perhaps not Ronaldo, admittedly).
The lead runners for his signature are clearly Chelsea, and what a player they would receive for their money. Although he is a very testing character to have in your team, he is the most naturally gifted Englishman since Paul Gascoigne, another flawed genius. He would fit perfectly into the Chelsea side. They need a 25-goal-a-season striker and Wayne clearly isn’t happy at Old Trafford. He would probably relish linking up with Frank Lampard, Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and potentially a Marouane Fellaini or Kevin De Bruyne.
It would be incredibly difficult to picture Wayne back in blue after almost ten seasons at United. I would hate to see him play for one of our huge rivals and admittedly I would feel hate towards him for doing that. If he were to attract foreign interest however, from a Bayern Munich, a Barcelona or a Real Madrid, I wouldn’t begrudge him what would be a dream move for any youngster. At those clubs he could further his career having won everything on offer at Utd (barring that elusive FA Cup). Surely moving to Chelsea or Arsenal, who look more likely to acquire the services of Luis Suarez and/or Bernardo, would be a step in the wrong direction?
Here are some of Wayne’s finest Man Utd moments to remember, should he decide to leave the club:
THAT Debut – A fresh faced Rooney made his debut for Utd in a Champions League group stage clash against Fenerbache of Turkey. It shouldn’t have been an easy game but the teenage starlet took the game by the scruff of the neck and scored a wonderful hat-trick, including a beautiful free-kick as Utd ran out 6-2 winners.
Screamer against Newcastle – This is a goal I will never ever forget. Rooney was clearly incensed by an incident previous to the goal and was having a heated discussion with the referee mid game when the ball popped his way off the head of a Newcastle defender about 25 yards out. He took out all his anger on the ball and unleashed an unstoppable first time volley that swerved into the top right hand corner of Shay Givens’ goal to win the game for Utd, making it 2-1.
Constant Chipping – There was a period if time during the 2005/06 season where Wayne couldn’t stop scoring gorgeous chipped goals. Two in particular stand out for me; a 20 trader against Portsmouth that sailed over David James’ head and an incredible 30 yardet against Middlesborough that left Mark Schwarczer gobsmacked in Boro’s goal.
Finally, the best goal I have ever seen – How can anybody forget this goal? It will go down in history will Carlos Alberto’s for Brazil vs Italy in 1970, Marcos Van Bastens volley in 1988 and Zidane’s Champions league winner on his left foot against Leverkusen in 2002. The goal of course, is the bicycle kick in the final minutes against our new rivals Man City to win the game. Nani crossed it from deep and Wayne smashed it home acrobatically from 15 yards in the top corner, leaving Joe Hart with no chance. The quality and the occasion made it my favourite Wayne Rooney moment ever.
Of course there are also the numerous trophies he has helped is to win, including many Premiership titles, several League Cups and a Champions League. Our current team would not be the same without Wayne Rooney wearing the number 10 jersey. If he goes, he will be sorely missed and that would the club has lost three legends in one summer. Sir Alex Ferguson, Paul Scholes and our fourth top scorer ever, Wayne Rooney.
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