There is a match at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, but few in the crowd will care for the action – not on Sir Alex Ferguson’s final home appearance in charge of United. Retiring after 27 years at the helm, Ferguson will say a last goodbye to the supporters who have cried his name for more than two decades. And emotions are sure to run high in the stands, even if the dead rubber on the pitch is of little consequence.
Ferguson has overseen the most decorated period in United’s history, securing 13 Premier League titles and two European Cups among more than 30 major trophies. It is a record without peer; one that will be celebrated as the Reds take on Swansea City in Manchester.
Sunday’s result is of little concern to many, although United’s limp end to the season has brought just two victories in seven matches, including last weekend’s home defeat to Chelsea. The Reds’ complacent performances in recent weeks are surely the result of a remarkably effortless march to this year’s title.
However, it is the big picture in focus on Sunday; United’s 20th league title honoured with the Premier League trophy presentation on the final whistle and Sir Alex’ farewell. The Scot will addresses the Old Trafford faithful for the final time at the close, while the occasion is set be marked with a ‘Champions 2013’ mosaic along the Stretford End as the teams enter the field. It is a celebration that United’s captain Nemanja Vidić is set to lead.
“I had the opportunity to lift the trophy after we won the 19th title and it is a great feeling,” said the Serbian defender.
“As a captain it is special. It is nice when you play for a club like Manchester United and you win a trophy. But it is the same feeling, whether you are captain or not. No-one has given any more or any less. We are a team and we all played a part.”
“I am finally hanging up my boots for good,” said Scholes, who could start against the Swans.
“Playing football is all I have ever wanted to do, and so to have had such a long and successful career at Manchester United, under the greatest manager of all time, has been an honour.”
Ferguson could also recall veteran Rio Ferdinand for the final home game of the season, while midfielder Shinji Kagawa is also likely to feature. Rafael da Silva is suspended, but Danny Welbeck could return from injury.
Wayne Rooney, who reportedly asked for a transfer for the second time in his United career three weeks ago, will remain on the bench. He may never start a match for the club again.
Meanwhile, the visitors arrive in mixed form having won just once in the past six. However, Michael Laudrup’s side has secured 46 points this year, guaranteeing the Welsh club Premier League football next season. Indeed, the Dane’s side needs just two points more to improve on a fine 2011/12 campaign.
The visitors are without Angel Rangel and goalkeeper Michel Vorm, but top-scorer Michu, defender Chico Flores and Ki Sung-Yueng should all feature at Old Trafford.
Still, Sunday has little to do with the game. Not with two greats of the game moving on. Scholes and Ferguson have each enjoyed one ‘retirement’ a decade apart – neither will return this time around. And while Scholes’ presence will be missed, it is Ferguson’s departure that threatens to fundamentally shake up the club this summer.
Alongside Ferguson, the chief executive David Gill, scout Martin Ferguson, and potential a clutch of coaches will also depart.
Questions of the future can wait though. After all, the mood will be celebratory on Sunday, rather than one of trepidation.
“I don’t think anyone thought the day would come when Sir Alex retired,” said new United manager David Moyes.
“We all thought he was superhuman. He will be sorely missed, particularly by a lot of managers because he always spoke to them. He would always have a quiet word for anybody who was out of work or going into a job. His respect is beyond any real words. Everyone has great admiration for him. Any words I say won’t do it justice because of what the man has done.”
But if words can’t do Ferguson justice then the emotion of more than 70,000 at Old Trafford surely will. It should be quite a send off.
Match details
Manchester United v Swansea City- Premier League, Old Trafford – 4pm, 12 May 2013
Possible teams
United (4-2-3-1): de Gea; Jones, Vidić, Ferdinand, Evra; Carrick, Scholes; Valencia, Kagawa, Welbeck; van Persie. Subs from: Lindegaard, Büttner, Evans, Powell, Cleverley, Anderson, Rooney, Nani, Hernández
Swansea (4-3-3): Tremmel; Tiendalli, Williams, Chico, Davies; De Guzman, Britton, Routledge, Pablo, Michu, Shechter. Subs from: Cornell, Bartley, Taylor, Dyer, Agustien, Moore, Donnelly, Monk, Lamah, Situ
Match officials
Referee: Jon Moss
Assistants: A Halliday, P Bankes
Fourth Official: M Clattenburg
Form
United: LWDWDL
Swansea: LDDLDW
Head-to-Head
Last 10: United 6, Swansea 1, Draw 3
Overall: United 8, Swansea 6, Draw 5
Stats
- Sir Alex takes charge of United at Old Trafford for the final time on Sunday; his 1499th game in charge of the club;
- Ferguson’s captain, Nemanja Vidić made 24 interceptions last weekend in United’s loss to Chelsea at Old Trafford – the highest in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index during the last round of games;
- One of Ferguson’s key demands is his players’ work either – striker Robin van Persie is not only leading the Premier League’s goal scoring charts this season, but has made more clearances than any other forward in the league with 31;
- Patrice Evra has enjoyed a fine season, winning 64.1 per cent of 82 tackles, completing 624 passes in the opposition half, and delivering 42 crosses, notching up six assists and four goals;
- On the opposite flank Rafael has made 111 defensive contributions including 52 interceptions, while winning 49 of 82 attempted tackles, and has also completed 531 passes in the opposition half;
- Swansea face United shortly after holding Manchester City to a scoreless draw and then beating Wigan Athletic 3-2 with goals from Angel Rangel, Itay Schechter and Dwight Tendalli;
- Ashley Williams garnered Sir Alex’ criticism earlier this season, but showed his value last weekend by making four crucial blocks – the joint highest by a player in the Index;
- Williams has made 388 defensive contributions this season – tackles won, interceptions, blocks and clearances – 50 more than his nearest rival, Fulham’s Brede Hangeland;
- Williams’ defensive partner Chico attempted his 100th tackle of the season in the last round of games – one of 22 players in the Index to have done so, and while being one of only five to have maintained a winning tackle percentage of over 60 per cent.
Prediction
3-2
This will be a strange game of football… it’ll probably play like a friendly, as Swansea don’t really have anything to gain either.
Should be lots of noise though… songs and chants for Fergie and Scholes…
Laudrupp is a nice enough man to let us have it
I predict Fergie will cry and that will set everyone else off
I really hope for a proper sending off…
A convincing 3-0, or better, 5-0, would be absolutely great…
Who thought SAF was superhuman? Yes he will be missed but when SAF said he was building a team for the future, how can you build a team with 5 right wingers, one right fullback and no left winger? Sounds like a one-sided team to me! Hope Moyes will sort this out immediately and sell a couple of these right wingers and bring in a left winger and defensive midfielder. I see we have brought in a 20 year old right back from Uruguay but he will spend most of his time at the academy. Old Trafford will be a fantastic atmosphere, fans will party throughout the night.
Sorry! Thats 6 right wingers. Forgot about Bebe.
Looks like Strootman will be Moyes first signing.
The team will take this game serious and go all out and win for SAF. We have lost too many games at home this season already. Hats of to Wigan.
Fergie definitely deserves to watch a right battering by Man Utd on his final home game….
Or maybe fates would have it that we’ll be 1 goal down and score 2 in the last 2 minutes of injury time….that’ll be absolutely awesome
I really, really, REALLY wish Herbie would fuck off.
I don’t want to hear bollocks excuses that the players were emotionally drained by the occasion.
Fergie deserves a proper send-off. We must put on a proper performance today.
I think I’d actually cry
You won’t be alone there Tommy. I’ve been holding them back since it was announced.
u bunch of wet fannies
don’t start me off though – i haven’t cried in ages ( at least a week)
2-0 United, emotional day, Fergie and Scholes going sad.
would be surreal to see SAF donning a shirt and playing out the last 5 mins…
Don’t know if we’ll get the excuses, but I really can’t see a top performance from us… should still win though… 1-0
One tends to forget there’s a game on today, just feels like a Fergie send off. Hopefully it’s a v.noisy affair. A dramatic victory in injury time would be perfect. And if Fergie gets emotional during his speech, it will be too much to take!
It would be beautiful to see one last cracking Scholes volley and, of course,a mandatory yellow card for him.
No Rooney at all. See you later Wayne.
Rooney left out of the squad, so we can’t see if he’s got a black eye or not
De Gea; Jones, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Welbeck, Carrick, Scholes, Kagawa; Hernandez, Van Persie
Tremmel, Tiendalli, Chico, Williams, Taylor, Britton, de Guzman, Routledge, Hernandez, Dyer, Michu
de Gea
Jones
Ferdinand
Vidic
Evra
Welbeck
Carrick
Scholes
Kagawa
van Persie
Hernandez
SUBS: Lindegaard, Evans, Buttner, Anderson, Cleverley, Valencia, Giggs.
I find it sad that Rooney isn’t even on the bench today. He’s been a terrific player for us, even if this is the end.
Fergie, ruthless til the end. I suppose there’s something fitting in seeing one final act of ruthlessness from the man.
But if Jones has clobbered the cunt then he won’t want to be in front of the cameras for a bit
Rooney face looks fine…
Old Trafford is rocking already
It does?
Yeah. Sky showed him in a box with his family
Hey Marlon you missed the joke (to spell it out Rooney’s face could never look fine.)
Guard of honour for Fergie
Anyone crying already…?
Why was that thread closed down? Its a valid question that was not discussed in other threads. Why not let the forum decide if its a good thread or not?
Fuck this I’m already emotional
That pass from scholes is setting me off even more
wtf! perfect tackle by Scholes
When Scholes gets booked we’re gonna get a fucking massive cheer
Unlucky sweat pea.
He’s slid in twice already. It’s like he wants it to happen.
You wouldn’t think this was Scholes’ first game back for months
Hope Mancunty is watching
The old chants are out today
Kagawa and Scholes are ridiculously good together on the edge of the area
They’d be shit under pressure like, but they’re perfect for today
So when’s Giggsy coming on
Herbie looks worried. Knows his days are numbered
Wellbeck frustrating as ever…just doesnt seem to be on same wavelength with others…
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Vidic go down because of a headbutt
I can remember when he went down on one knee, but that was it
Fucking pen that
Kagawa took that ball out of the air brilliantly
Jusst proved my point…Counterattack….RVP wide open and he picked absolutely the wrong pass…
Sweat pea 1-0
Well in
No Rooney because Rooney is leaving.
I already know who will replace him.
No Internet while you’re working mike!
Van Bommel sent off in his last game apparently, what an asshole.
Could happen to scholesie before the day is over, tbf
The only thing you know is how to get on our nerves.
Michu was one hell of a signing.
Class finish
swansea pooping the party
That cunt was supposed to be out for the year.
We’ll need to bring Giggsy on.
What the fuck was Jones doing trying to head the ball on the floor??
The fucking Tyler twat jinx us! Saying Fergie has never lost a game at OT when going ahead at half time!
Swansea fans singing you’re getting sacked in the morning to Fergie, ha
can’t believe that
from the bbc
“Anderson almost has an immediate impact, running in to drive in a shot on the volley, but the ball fizzes past the post. He conducts the Stretford End, demanding more from the fans”……..
fuck off u fat over rated under achieving ball bag
I wouldn’t say Anderson is overrated. I doubt there’s a United fan anywhere on the planet (apart from perhaps the couple of presumably drug-induced commenters who were on here the other day) who thinks he’s anything other than an utter waste of space.
riooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
over rated by himself
Rio, yes.
Rio smashes that in, class
Fuck me, Martin Tyler just said that was Ferdinand’s first United goal in 5 years, I didn’t realise it had been that long!
good man, rio
Would it be greedy to want just one more goal to put the icing on the cake?
Swansea barely running now after the second goal
Hard to tell if it’s just the rain on his specs, but Fergie did look like he was welling up a bit there while he was being introduced by the announcer.
Brilliant Moyes bit, Fergie giving the fists
Last words were about his grandkids
He didn’t mention the Glazers when he went through everybody at United
Ah fuck, he really is retiring then.
Great match. Swansea took it seriously, played well, and forced United to play their best for nearly the entire match. Even Anderson played well in his cameo. Rio became the 20th different goal scorer for United this season.
Boos for Rooney, the twat
Great touch for Evra and Vidic to give the trophy to Fergie
Robin van Persie seemed to get an especially warm hug from Fergie when he went for his medal, didn’t seem like he wanted to let Fergie go from his arms!
United Rant’s original returning eternal optimist!
The players lining up to have their photos taken with Fergie
You won’t see that again in football
Millionaire footballers, some of the most talented players in the world in awe of the manager
I’m gutted tbf..so many times I’ve been OT over the years and even though its been shit these past few years I will miss going pissed knowing fergie was there
I said last week I’m sad he’s going but also relieved too…
Scholes and fergie going makes me realise I’m middle aged now..ffs
Love the shirts of his grandkids…all has the name and number of 20 Granddad
lol Scholes kid, hands over the ears, not enjoying it
Takes after his dad
Rooney’s kid taking after his dad, munching on some chocolate
That was the longest Paul Scholes has spoken for, ever. He’s really coming out of his shell that lad.
And an insincere hog from the Gaffer… he’s gone.
Not sure actually…i mean yes the chemistry between him and SAF is all negative…but would think SAF would give that decision to Moyes…
From the BBC:
And this is news to absolutely nobody anywhere!
Wow, honest words from Fergie.
Maybe, but that makes it official, and shifts the focus onto Rooney, who’s been claiming United are trying to drive him out… he’ll cop a load of abuse now, and either make another grovelling apology, assuming he wants to stay, assuming Moyes wants to keep him… or he’ll have to go.
I don’t know if he’s just an idiot, or if his shitty agent has been pissing in his ear again, 2 years left, and apparently he can buy himself free next year, so maybe he thinks he’s got United by the curlies again… he hasn’t played well enough lately to be so cocky, if that’s the case… I think he’s finished at United… and it’s a fuckin shame… he could have been one of, if not Uniteds greatest ever… fit and fighting, he would have easily passed Chartons record.
From bbc sport
Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson tells BBC Sport about Wayne Rooney’s transfer request: “We have refused it. I think he should go away and think it over again. He wasn’t happy about being taken off a few times this season but a Wayne Rooney in top form wouldn’t be taken off.”
On whether Rooney will stay at the club, Ferguson added: “It’s not my decision now.”
More from BBC:
Read into it what you will, but I think that last line is quite telling. To me that suggests he’s just lost patience with Rooney’s attitude and is happy not to have to deal with it any more.
Pretty standard response I reckon… if they’re even contemplating selling him, they need to be seen to be in control… or it’ll be Beckham/van Nistelrooy all over again.
Proud to be a United fan today. Fans got behind the team and we played OK today.
Delighted with the result but gutted that I’ve seen Fergie in the flesh for the last time.
Without wishing to sound too melodramatic, it feels like a chapter of my life has ended.
First ever game was v City in 1992, I didn’t start going regularly until 1996-7 season and been going regularly ever since. In all this time, I’ve only ever known Fergie as the manager.
There have been plenty of truly incredible memories. If I never see us win another trophy again, I’ve still been ridiculously privileged to watch the man work his magic.
I must admit, I feel the same. I never thought it would effect me like this. Been supporting United since i found myself in Mark Hughes house in 89′ within a year we went on to win trophies.
It’s been constantly on my mind since the news broke, I’ve been gutted to see players leave, Cantona, Irwin, Nev but we’ve moved on…. But with the boss leaving something is different. It does feel like a huge part of my life has gone forever.
Not really sure how to deal with it. Very, very emotional day today for all united fans. Thank you Sir Alex.
What a bunch of big jessies…
Fergie’s right, Rooney in top form, or even in some kind of form wouldn’t have been dropped so often
But lets not spend the day talking about that cunt
Really emotional celebration. End of an era and like people above have said , I can tell my children about SAF and the magnificent teams he created.
Deffo.
Obviously terms like legend and end of an era get tossed around about anyone nowadays but today was the ultimate definition of those terms and should be now used as examples in the English dictionary or any dictionary for that matter.
Been on quite a few Utd forums over the years and there was always the sanctimonious “show Fergie respect’ brigade who would criticize anyone who even slightly questioned his tactics or decisions by quoting the number of FA , Leauge, CL cups he’d won and nullifying the actual point of having a forum .
At least now I think we can all agree that using a Utd forum should, in theory , be easier to give an opinion without having to deal with all that.
Sad to see the great man go.
Fully behind Moyes now and hoping he can add a world class Midfielder and modify our tactics somewhat.
I think that’s part of the problem, and why Fergie dropped him from the squad today. It’s not wanting to leave that pisses SAF off, it’s the way Rooney and his manager/entourage go about it completely PR-centric, planting stories in the papers and all this shit instead of just being straightforward about it. Ronaldo has always been much more mature and respectful in that regard.
Ronaldo also always put a full shift in every game right up until he left, whereas Rooney goes moping every few weeks for who knows what reason. I always thought it was funny that when SAF talked about modern players being fragile people thought he meant Ronaldo. I think he meant Rooney. Ronaldo wears his emotions on his sleeve, but he’s also psychologically tough as nails. Rooney seems all tough and manly because he’s not much of a talker or outwardly emotional, but then he has these crazy fluctuations in form that only seem to be getting worse.
Agree with that, Bman
Ronnie is unflappable. And when he fucks up, he comes back stronger because he’s a proper fighter, a bulldog in the mould of Fergie
Rooney could learn a thing or two
But anyway, Fergie
Well Gary Neville was not holding back in telling him live on air that he will be making a terrible mistake if he leaves. Gaz even gave the impression that Beckham did not enjoy Madrid that much.
Balague has already said a few minutes ago on Sky that Barca and Real have said they don’t want him at this point in time. Apparently his people had started hawking him around.
What the fuck has happened to Wayne Rooney? Where have his bollocks gone? He’s seen Van Persie come in and pull up trees with his performances and he’s been dropped a couple of times. The Wayne Rooney of old would have seen the challenge and risen to it. He’d have probably had a few bookings, a red card maybe, shagged a couple of tarts, but he’d have scored a fuckload of goals and got on with it.
I don’t think he’s been right mentally ever since all that stuff came out in the press a couple of years ago about him rattling off that rent-a-brass.
Could’ve been a legend. Never will be now.
Fergie said Rooney is not fit and he needs to get his lifestyle in order. Rooney will not play under Moyes because of what happened when Rooney was at Everton. Moyes went on to sue Rooney for something that Rooney wrote in his biography. Media claims now though they have made friends but we will see. Moyes has already identified a target if Rooney does leave and its a big name player. Moyes says he is putting together a team that can win the Champions league.
youve basically lied there tbf
its like rons last year never happened
like he didnt mope about for most of his last season til the run in, or didnt substitute himself, or didnt have a go at taggart on the pitch after hed fluffed a sitter at wigan
he clearly didnt wanna be here
was fucking excellent in the run in tho
love ron tbf, and wayne
Why did Ronaldo leave herbie? What’s the skinny on that?
Ronaldo left??
When???
You know, one reason we take the piss out of the Scousers is that they always hark back to the past. Given what’s happened in the last few days, I can almost see why they do this.
Whilst I’m looking forward to a new chapter under another manager, we will never have it so good ever again. I don’t just mean in terms of experiencing an era of domination of the football landscape, but also having that reassuring father figure at the helm.
Wayne?
Fuck off, celebrating on that pitch today like he hadn’t submitted a transfer request, the fucking snake!
You love him cos he’s English, ignoring the fact that he’s fucking over the club that made him.
Vidic tries to block a shot with his face:
http://i.minus.com/iV7dVcBlRainq.gif
Sept 2012 – Wayne Rooney on 2010’s transfer request: “Sometimes as a player you make bad choices and bad decisions … sometimes you say things you shouldn’t. I want to be here for the next 10 years. Just look at Giggs and Scholes … they’re an example to us all. And let’s be honest, where else can you go from here?”
This is fantastic! Gotta love Vidic.. a proper defender
Thank you Fergie for saving our club from mediocrity and for knocking every other team “off their fucking perch”. Thank you for making Manchester United great again. Your legend will never dim.
all the shite and absolute dross in the squad that picked up a medal today, and you have a go at wayne celebrating
Yeah, I don’t get that either… Wayne is still just as much a part of this team as anyone else… he hasn’t gone anywhere yet, and after van Persie, was our best forward… if the team don’t mind, and they’re not turning their backs on him, why should we? I even saw him and Jones givin it large.
Rooney’s still our player, and he deserves his medal…
i hope moyles shows as much faith in welbeck as taggart
can see the likes of him and smalling not being backed as much as the more in your face talent of jones
My memory not as strong as yours but stats wise Ronaldo got 18 goals and 6 assists in BPL and 4 goals and 2 assists in UCL.
Down from his monster season the previous year but not a bad contribution at all…
All things considered, Rooneys contribution this year was very good as well.
Your ability to put the blinkers on when it suits is up there with the best of them tbf.
Dross, yes, but I’m struggling to think of any of them submitting TWO transfer requests over a three year period.
Rooney’s celebrations are like a kick in the teeth tbh: “I’ll take my winners’ medal, but fuck yis”
Well, I have to say that Pikey si spot on there above.
This is true, but somewhat difficult to realize without context. Rooney has returned decent numbers, not as the first choice striker, but as the first choice stopgap for dealing with deficiencies on the wing and in midfield. That said, I would still sell him for £35M or more, or continue to bench him until he realized that, as United’s highest paid and highest profile player, he has a responsibility to show up, day one, fit and ready to play at his best. He seems to think that he doesn’t have to delay his enjoyment of fags, booze, and pies until after his retirement, because he can smoke, drink, and overeat and still be better than most of his teammates.
Fair point and I agree that Rooney has contributed well, although unfortunately not in sustained spells
Must agree with Pikey as well though….two transfer requests in three years is disrespectful and leaves bad taste in my mouth…tbf i dont bedrudge him his celebrations though
Obviously I’d love Rooney to recommit to the club and find his old form, he’s a brilliant player no disputing it. But even if he does, at this point I couldn’t feel any more love for him than I could for someone like Nani. I’m not so naive that I begrudge players looking for more money or looking out for their interests, but Rooney pushes shit too far with his public flirtations with fucking City of all teams two seasons ago, and his gobshite manager’s pathetically transparent stories being fed to the newspapers. I mean, he’s engaged in Heinze-level shitheadedness and let’s face it, we only sort of accepted it because he’s much better than Heinze. But United has to have some self respect.
Fact is though, I think Rooney will stay, but mostly because he’s not nowhere else to go. I just don’t think other top clubs rate him as highly as he and his manager think they do, so even if he stays I’m not convinced he won’t do so grudgingly. Sorry, Roo, but City, Chelsea, PSG etc are much more interested in Falcao, Lewandowski, and Cavani than they are you.
I’d swap him for Lewandowski in a fucking heartbeat myself.
let him flirt with a move to liverpool
that’ll teach him
That’s about the level he’s playing at – I could think of no worse insult if I were him
I really really love Rooney. His bad year is better than the best year of a lot of players. People talk about Lewandowski, Falcao etc. Can any of them even see a pass like the one Rooney pinged in perfectly for RVP’s volley against villa, much less execute it to perfection. That was in his poor season. He is still fantastic and will be great in the future whether he stays or goes.
Having said that, the way he has gone about his business is utterly disrespectful to the club. We can go on about how he has had lot of things to face at a very young age etc but in truth he is just being a prick. He’s been with a team having Scholes and Giggs, yet doesn’t seem to have learnt much of professionalism. Less than 6 months after sucking up to the fans for the first transfer request he asks for a transfer again. And that for getting dropped from the team. It’s as if he think he has a divine right to always start for our team. He asked for better players. Now that the better players are his compettion he just throws a fit and asks to leave. Fucking ridiculous attitude. He needs to get himself sorted in the summer and make a decision whether he has balls to fight for his place or run away like a wimp.
Even if he wants to leave selling him to Chelsea would be like punching ourselves in the balls. Imagine an attack with of Mata-Oscar-Hazard-Rooney. I’d prefer selling him to a non-English club if it came to that. Still would like him to stay but wouldn’t be as gutted as I would have been a couple of years back.
Spot on.
Tbf..if they gave us a straight swap of mata for Rooney I’d take it
captainhormone @ 7:16: “if they gave us a straight swap of mata for Rooney I’d take it”
In a heart-beat – and Mata is left-footed, too.
but they will offer us mikel instead…
I can agree with a lot of that… but I don’t think the problem is that he doesn’t want to fight for his place… I think the problem is, that he feels he’s earned the right to play in his preferred and best position, but Ferguson chose to shuffle him about to accomodate others… and on that score I agree with Rooney.
Fergie bought Kagawa, with fuck knows what sort of plan for him, but it turns out that he’s useless unless he’s playing in the 10 spot, Rooneys place… so to get him in the team, Ferguson shifts Rooney out left, or back to midfield… and Rooney isn’t happy with that… and why should he be? It was his spot, and he’s bloody good at it, but because Rooney is more adaptable… he’s the one that gets shifted… still… handing in a transfer request is a stupid way to deal with it.
The last time he kicked off, the issue was about money, nothing else. Only a few months earlier, he went on MUTV and talked about spending the rest of his career at United. 6 months later he wanted to leave. He only signed when he was offered that massive contract.
He’s not been quite the same player since he kicked off last time. He’s still been a major contributor in terms of goals but he hasn’t been as effective in other areas. Those days where he used to chase back like a terrier have long gone. He doesn’t look after himself and he’s had issues with his fitness.
His heart’s not in it. I don’t like the way Fergie shunted him about but Rooney needs to look at himself as well.
Am sorry am not buying that “shunted out of his best position” excuse. How do Dortmund and Munich play? Imagine we had Gundogan and Carrick holding, why can’t Rooney play well alongside Kagawa and one other with a frontman ahead of him? How about him asking a question of himself why he is not being asked to play in his position? In Madrid he was awful. He could so easily have swapped positions with Kagawa during the match.
My biggest criticism of Rooney is that out of his natural talent he is not blessed with tactical intelligence. He also has never worked extra hard on his game to home his gifts and make himself undroppable. Ronaldo worked extra hard to improve his shooting and his free-kicks. Not Rooney.
He then holds United to ransom in 2010 and expects Sir Alex to forget and forgive easily? The purchase of Kagawa and the young Powell signalled that a plan for his exit was in place. I hope he stays. But only if he will put his head down, work hard and get his form back. If he does not want to go then we must sell him away from the PL.
Nah fuck that prima donna bullshit. He gets paid £250k or more every week to play *football* for *United*. He’s living the dream. If the boss says play on the left, go play on the bloody left, it’s such a tiny tiny step down from your ultimate perfect ideal in an otherwise absurd fantasy of life. he should wash the team’s pants without complaint if the manager asks him to.
To be fair, Cal, I’m trying to look at things from Rooney’s perspective but, in a battle between Fergie and Rooney, I pick the manager’s side every single time.
If any player kicks off against Fergie, I back Fergie.
The manager is the one who has to look at the bigger picture, not the player. If the player doesn’t get to play in his favoured position he shouldn’t be behaving like a petulant child.
Yup, I agree with cal. I don’t buy this “shunted about” stuff. As if Fergie (or Moyes) doesn’t have the right to set up the team however he thinks best. Giggs is willing to play anywhere the manager asks and he’s accomplished a lot more than Rooney has, and probably ever will if he doesn’t get back on board the clue train. Rooney’s problem is a sense of entitlement because he got too rich and had too many people kissing his arse too young. It’s beyond rich going on about the club’s supposed lack of ambition two seasons ago, then he turns around and throws a strop when the manager brings in players that challenge him for his place in the side. Whatever happened to fighting for your place? If Fergie benched Ronaldo for the game against Real, absolutely he’d have thrown a strop and been a pissy little git, but he also would have come back the next match to play a blinder and have everyone saying Fergie was mad to ever think of dropping him. In contrast, Rooney’s gone into a mope since Real, not doing much on the pitch, then ultimately asking for a transfer and playing undignified PR games in the same week that Fergie and Scholes announce their retirement.
In short, if Rooney gets his act together and stays with the club and picks up his performances, I’ll be delighted because he’s an excellent player on his day. But I’ll never feel any fondness for him anymore. The supporters loved him and he threw it away — it didn’t seem to occur to his thick Mr 10% that it was precisely because United supporters loved Rooney so much that they wouldn’t forgive him for showing that he doesn’t feel the same way. He’s done serious damage to his reputation, his commercial value, and his legacy just to angle for an extra few thousand quid a week.
At the end of the day, this latest ‘transfer request’ wasn’t done publicly, no statements to the press and all that bollocks. Maybe it was just his way of expressing his frustration? Ill advised maybe, but perhaps it’s just a ‘cry for help’ and the club have called his bluff? Before this era of twitter bollocks and the modern media explosion where every media outlet is falling over themselves to be the first to tell us what time a player has his morning dump, who’s to say how many reds haven’t sounded off over the years and demanded to leave internally before getting their head straight or being talked around?
A new manager and potentially a big signing such as Bale or Ronny, could be the perfect tonic for him.
I would love for Rooney to stay
But if the choice is we sell him at our terms to a non English club where he will likely stay 5 years vs him staying for another 2 years and then leaving on a free to a club of his choice which might very well be Chelsea or City….I’d pick sell everytime
As for his transfer requests, hopefully fans will forgive when and if he goes back on form. The more interesting question is what other players think of the 2x in 3 years stunt. Will he lose the respect of the other players? Thats potentially more damaging