The narrative of Wayne Rooney’s career has always been complex. It had to be for the leading English talent in a generation. From boy-wonder to Manchester United’s elder statesman; transfer rebel to declining force. Rooney has rarely suffered for a shortage of unsolicited analysis. And yet, after 14 years at the top, here is he, set to start the Manchester derby on Sunday as United’s captain. Rooney’s talent may be on the wane, but his presence endures.
Despite the criticism attached to Rooney, in a period of diminishing returns, the Scouser is likely to end his career as England and United’s finest goalscorer. More than a decade on from that 25-yard strike against David Seaman’s Arsenal – the one announcing Rooney to the world – the striker remains omnipresent in the conversation.
Rooney is a player, and a man, whose story defies simple construct precisely because he has spent a career living with the labels attached by others: street ‘baller, working-class hero, the White Pele. Consumer of prostitutes, lover of the geriatric, family man and doting father. The most natural player England has produced since Paul Gascoigne; and perhaps, like the Geordie, an abuser of his talent as well.
The former Evertonian will finish his career with a series of personal and team records. Rooney’s 187 Premier League goals are 11 more than Alan Shearer had scored at 30, and 13 more than Thierry Henry. Robbie Fowler scored 35 fewer at the same age. Rooney has scored 50 for England in 108 caps and 236 in all competitions for United. In time Rooney will pass the 249 scored by Bobby Charlton for United, as he has passed the great man’s record for England. It is testament both to Rooney’s endurance and his relative consistency.
He has won five Premier League titles, the Champions League, two League Cups, and a Club World Cup. In 2010, Rooney was named the PFA and Football Writers’ Player of the Year, four years after he collected back-to-back PFA Young Player of the Year awards. In 2004, Rooney was voted into the Euro 2004 team of the tournament – arguably the only successful international tournament he has enjoyed.
Yet, there is also a sense in which, despite all the records and silverware, Rooney’s was a promise not completely fulfilled.
Teenage Rooney was a scorer of great goals and then even greater goals still. His game was at once a burst of electric excitement and, yet, refined beyond its years. On the pitch, Rooney was a man, both physically and mentally, long before he left adolescence. The player’s first touch was outstanding, despite contemporary evidence to the contrary, and his vision as finely tuned as any on the continent. Little wonder the game’s great and good saw much in the 16-year-old.
“Rooney could be another George Best, I have no doubt,” Arsene Wenger once said of the youngster. “But football is a high-level sport and you must live the life of a monk. There is only one thing to be answered – how much do you love to play the game?”
Prescient words, although there is no doubt Rooney loved it once. Perhaps before fame, tabloids, and money took over. Today, Rooney is seemingly weighed down, if not by the burden of a decade in the light, then 14 years of pounding the turf. The player’s touch has all but gone, and that burst of pace a relic of a time past. He risks fading from the game as so many have in the past; a punchdrunk fighter staggering around the canvas on one night too many.
It is a world away from Rooney the effervescent kid, who plucked the ball out of the air without a second thought, and curled a strike past David Seaman with a rare nonchalance. It was a great moment, no matter to whom one’s allegiance lies.
Rooney’s rise to the Everton first team was no surprise though. Having joined the Toffees before his tenth birthday, Rooney scored goals at every age group, including eight during Everton’s run to the 2002 FA Youth Cup final. A t-shirt bearing the slogan “Once a Blue, always a Blue,” worn by Rooney after Youth Cup final defeat to Aston Villa, would come to haunt the player for years to come.
He made his first team début against Tottenham Hotspur in August 2002 and scored twice against Wrexham in the League Cup later that month. In October 2002, five days before his 17th birthday, Rooney scored that winning goal against Arsenal. Three months later Rooney became the youngest player to feature for England, when selected against Australia at Upton Park in February 2003.
Euro 2004 proved a both catalyst in Rooney’s career and, not for the last time at international level, personally cataclysmic. He became the youngest scorer in the competition’s history, bagging two against Switzerland, before suffering injury in England’s quarter-final defeat to Portugal. After scoring four goals in as many matches, Rooney was named in the Team of the Tournament. It remains his finest international tournament.
Rooney’s performance in Euro 2004 accelerated his transfer to Manchester in the face of a potential bidding war for the teenager’s services, although Newcastle United’s preëmptive £20 million bid that summer was never likely to succeed, according to Rooney at least. In the end, United paid a record sum for a player under 20 – more than £25 million. It has been repaid many times over.
It was one of those rare transfers that brought excitement to players and fans alike.
“I first came up against him when he’d come on at Old Trafford for Everton, and he just skipped past me,” said Ryan Giggs. “I just thought, ‘Ooh, who’s this?’ He was just 16 or 17 at the time and everyone was after him, so it was great to see him come to United, because I’d seen first hand how tough it was to play against him.”
If any doubts remained about Sir Alex Ferguson’s judgement in pushing through a deal, then Rooney’s début hat-trick in a Champions League group tie against Fenerbahce ended the debate. It was a moment of exuberance to excite even the most experienced pro.
Rooney scored 14 more that season and took home the PFA Young Player of the Year award, although United finished third, some 18 points behind José Mourinho’s Chelsea.
Yet, 2004 also proved to be the year in which Rooney first courted public controversy, with the player being forced to admit he regularly attended low-rent brothels in Liverpool. That his company turned out to be a 48-year-old rubber-wearing grandmother proved all-too-entertaining for the nation’s red-tops.
After all, Rooney has never been that far away from scandal, whether real or drummed up by the fourth estate. Prostitutes have remained a theme over the years, as were the red cards in Rooney’s early career. Those with England, such as the one obtained for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho in the 2006 World Cup, drew headlines across the globe. He earned a reputation for petulance that was very slowly shed.
Though Rooney’s quality on the pitch remained high in years subsequent to 2004, his goalscoring consistency has always been questionable. It is the key failing that sets Rooney apart from the very best in his peer group – Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi included.
The gap wasn’t always as stark as it is today, with some keen to factor into the analysis Rooney’s suspiciously lax approach to physical conditioning and a lifestyle that is not as monastic as Wenger once preached. There is always a lesson in history.
“Wayne can go on to achieve unbelievable things – he’s got so much talent,” Paul Gascoigne once said. “There were some things I knew I could get away with. Unfortunately, it all creeps up on you if you’re not too careful.”
The point remains unproven, if potentially judicious.
And if observers look back on Rooney’s career as one that is just a touch adrift of his former colleague, Ronaldo’s, then the Scouser’s role in two attempts to leave the club will also colour any future discussion. The first, in October 2010, is without dispute – and drew ire from fans everywhere – with Rooney’s entourage not only playing out negotiations through the press, but leaving little doubt that Manchester City was the destination of choice. It is a saga for which some will never forgive the player.
Rooney’s antics, more than five years ago, sought to leverage the mess of the Glazer ownership, by claiming the club “lacked ambition” during the height of Glazernomic parsimony. He had a point. Yet, Rooney also lost the public relations battle because Ferguson superbly tugged at fans’ instinctive loyalty, painting Rooney as a mercenary, the scourge of the modern game, in a masterpiece of public theatre.
Rooney’s second attempt at departure, in the summer of David Moyes’ appointment, remains more opaque. No written transfer request was forthcoming, claims Rooney, although Ferguson insists the player “wanted away” – the same language used three years earlier. Few doubt Rooney would have left for suitors Chelsea had United chosen to cash in.
In remaining at United through the summer of 2013, and later securing a lucrative five-year contract courtesy of Moyes’ persistence, Rooney was locked into his new place as an elder statesmen at the club. The effusive praise garnered through Moyes’ short reign certainly rankled with many; as do the “special privileges” proffered by Louis van Gaal. At least when the performances lack almost all the Rooney magic produced of old.
Rooney scored 19 in 37 appearances across all competitions under Moyes – 17 in the Premier League. No shame there, although just three came against traditional rivals: one versus City in a 4-1 defeat in September 2013 and two against Tottenham Hotspur in December that year. Under Van Gaal Rooney’s performance and output have declined further still. There are many who believe the player has not truly performed for the club since grabbing 34 in the 2011/12 campaign.
It is hard to argue that almost every indicator from the now 30-year-old suggests a player in a rapid cycle of permanent decline.
Rooney could seemingly care less for the observation and his manager remains effusive in support. Rooney’s privileges will remain for the season at least, not least because he is under contract until June 2019. One fact is sure: neither City nor Chelsea will make a bid next summer
Yet, to the player, the reduced output is simply the product of an enduring team ethic – one that has last more than 14 campaigns at the very top.
“I’m sure if you follow my career over the years, I’ve always been a team player,” Rooney said this week. “I want to score goals but the main aim is to be a team player – and that’s what I’ll continue to do. There’s nothing better than being successful as a team, to enjoy it with the players and coaches you’ve worked with. It’s an amazing feeling.”
Doubters remain, however, even as Rooney creeps towards Charlton’s goal tally. Rooney’s eventual record is one that may not be broken for generations to come. When the player crosses the threshold – at some point, in all likelihood, next season – he will have earned all the praise that comes.
There will also be detractors with a point too; one far more nuanced than modernity typically allows. That 16-year-old blossomed, but perhaps not as brightly as the summer of 2004 once promised. And, in the end, Rooney’s goals and years at United come with a caveat about his loyalty – the depth of which will vary with the observer.
That he wanted out and that his quality has dried up is not in doubt. Whether that matters is another point. After all, the narrative of Rooney’s career has always been complex.
June 2019 ?
The Fall has be faster than a turd going down a giant water slide
shocking
brilliant article. So frustrating watching him play, dont understand why lvg keeps playing him
elite clubs like MUFC get rid of players when their standards drop like barca, real did with xavi, casillas, raul
Ed,
I have long taken issue with your anti-Rooney-ism, but the facts cannot be ignored.
I’ve put my Rooney shirt up. He is dreadful. His non-performances in Moscow and against City this week have sealed it for me. I can’t defend him. He’s a non-factor. Or a negative factor.
What’s worse this time will not progress without him. People are being played out of position, having their careers potentially wrecked or retarded (See Mata, Martial, Janazai, Herrera and Lindegard) all because of this spent force.
It’s clear, especially after this week, that Lindegard should start on the right, with Mata or Herra in the middle and Martial up top. But that will never happen until this flop is sidelined with injury.
“His non-performances in Moscow and against City this week have sealed it for me.”
He was dreadful against CSKA but I thought he was pretty good today. In a sense, he’s a victim of LvG’s “philosophy” and he really should be switched with Anthony Martial for the benefit of both players – and the team.
“People are being played out of position, having their careers potentially wrecked or retarded (See Mata, Martial, Janazai, Herrera and Lindegard) all because of this spent force.”
I’d argue with that because I don’t think Januzaj or Lingard (or KidWilson or Memphis or Pereira) are more deserving of playing time. Mata is doing fine as a right inside-forward and Herrera, likewise, as the link-man between Schmidfield and attack. The only player whose nose is being pushed-out-of-joint is Anthony Martial and that’s likely to be rectified sooner, rather than later. In the past, Dimmy and KagawaBunga and Chicharito were marginalized to make way for TheWayneBoy.
So now Rooney is a ‘victim’ of van Gaal’s philosophy. What the fuck has Rooney’s lack of sharpness and mobility, poor first touch, inability to keep the ball etc. got to do with philosophy?
Van Gaal’s philosophy is boring and Rooney is crap. Perfect match.
Rooney was “good today”? Umm…
– No shots on target
– No chances created
– 55% passing accuracy
– Lost possession 28 times (highest of anyone)
– One touch in opposition penalty area
– Only 9 passes in the first half.
How much longer are we going to carry this guy for? Not only does playing him effectively mean we are playing with 10 men, it also means our best player is shunted out to the left wing!
Like I wrote, the issue will be resolved sooner rather than later.
I’d agree that the statistics you quote are “shocking”, just as they were against CSKA. However, his block on Otamendi in the closing minutes prevented ManShitty from stealing the points. For me, that moment qualifies his performance as “good” – not “good enough” to marginalize Martial but still he was involved in a key moment in the match which kept the game tied.
“So now Rooney is a ‘victim’ of van Gaal’s philosophy.”
I seem to recall that LvG stated, quite clearly, that he stood behind TheWayneBoy and that the captain had to be British/English. He hasn’t changed his tune even though he’s been questioned about it all the time
So, the “philosophy” issue has more to do with LvG’s idea about team-building rather than on-field performance. I don’t disagree with your assessment: “Rooney’s lack of sharpness and mobility, poor first touch, inability to keep the ball etc.” Also, let cast our minds back to last spring-s 4-2 derby win – at that time, TheWayneBoy touched the ball less than two dozen times but occupied both central defenders. LvG gushed that that performance was completely in tune with his on-field “philosophy”. However, since then Rooney has been sussed – why man-mark him with two men if he can’t run, can’t trap the ball, and gives away possession ? That’s why ManShitty double-marked Anthony Martial – he can run, he has excellent close-control, and he has an eye for goal.
In the glory years, 2007-2009, when TheLads won the EPL and got to the CL final twice, TheWayneBoy was shunted into a lesser role to accommodate CR7; it’s only a matter of time before something like that happens again and Rooney is shifted wide-left/right to accommodate Anthony Martial.
In all the Rooney-bashing, it’s been overlooked that he played a small but decisive role in yesterday’s draw – if he hadn’t man-marked Otamendi (at the far-post towards the end of the match) then ManShitty would have snatched a win. That was the high-point of TheWayneBoy’s performance and I doubt than a lightweight like Mata/Memphis/Depay/Young would have had the strength to do it. But, of course, that’s really damning him with the faintest of praise since a #9’s primary job is to score goals – not prevent them.
FWIW, I would have been happy if SAF had sold TheWayneBoy to CSKALondon – or swapped him, straight-up, for Juan Mata – in the summer of 2012. But that didn’t happen and then the matter was compounded when David Moyes tried “to put his stamp” on the team by authorizing that ludicrous contract. So, LvG was caught between a rock and a hard place and made a precipitous decision to “invest” in TheWayneBoy; it will be very interesting to see how the current situation evolves over the next few weeks. LvG doesn’t strike me as a guy “who’s not for turning” – now it has to be “when” not “if” he jettisons the captain.
I’ve argued in the past, and still believe, that SAF helped wreck Rooney as a player by playing him out of position and taking away his rougher parts and his running ,etc…
However, what’s happened now is beyond all of that. Rooney simply can’t play period. He has no touch, can’t get involved in games and is an empty hole. He is not scoring, either, in a season when his own manager has banked on him getting 25 (never happen).
I also don’t see how you can dismiss claims about players being frozen out in one breath, then admit that Martial is being pushed outside in another, because surely you see it’s just not those two that have been swapped around in all of this. It’s leaving Rooney at 10 has literally forced numerous other people to move — or not play at all.
Juan Mata is not a winger. Period. He was clearly frustrated when he came off yesterday and I think he should be. This guy was an amazing player at Chelsea. Look what United’s done to him. They’ve Kagawa’d him and he knows it. Play him in the right spot or sell him. Mata at 10 with Martial in front of him is something I’d like to see. But it will never happen.
At the same time, playing Mata out of position is keeping out Lindegard, who very much is a right-sided winger. If you saw the CSK and City match, surely you saw he had the best chances in both matches and was one of our few attacking sparks? How can you say he doesn’t deserve more time? That’s sheer madness from where I am sitting. We’ve run off Pogba for equally dubious decisions.
God we’ve been terrible to watch. For years now. This goes back to Fergie’s time. We’re not an attacking team anymore and we’re not entertaining. And a lot of that has to do with this refashioning of players to fill gaps we’ve not filled (Fellani in midfield, etc.)
“Mata at 10 with Martial in front of him is something I’d like to see. But it will never happen.”
I’d like to see that, too – preferably 4-3-3 with Herrera making up the forward part of the midfield “3” and Mata/Memphis behind Martial in the front “3”.
AND, I completely agree with “This guy was an amazing player at Chelsea. Look what United’s done to him. They’ve Kagawa’d him.” The way KagawaBunga was treated at UTD was distressing – but when SAF got his hands on RvP to score goals then you just knew that ShinjiSan’s days were limited – and Chicharito’s playing time was cut to the quick.
I’m no fan-boy of Rooney but he’s a key player for UTD – or, rather, he’s been a key player. The bell began to toll for him when SAF preferred DannyTheLad in the CL matches with Madrid. Fergy was no fool – he had made a habit of selling-on guys (except for Keane-o) a year too soon rather than keeping them a year too long.
TheWayneBoy’s best days coincided with the last great team that SAF assembled; he was the youngest and has stayed the longest and, I suppose, that for LvG he represented continuity in a maelstrom of change. However, like you, I think that it’s now time to ask: “what have you done for me lately ?” That won’t go down well with Rooney (“the big man is back !”) or his huge sense of entitlement. The up-side of down, as it were, is that LvG now has enough talent that he can move on and finish the job of rebuilding UTD up-front. Like I wrote: “LvG was caught between a rock and a hard place and made a precipitous decision to “invest” in TheWayneBoy; it will be very interesting to see how the current situation evolves over the next few weeks. LvG doesn’t strike me as a guy “who’s not for turning” – now it has to be “when” not “if” he jettisons the captain.”
Our tactics are an issue.
It’s all about possession.
Not quick enough.
And it looked like wayne was isolated throughout the game. Not much in support if him
I would like to see him play behind Martial. Mata right and get Memphis or Young on the left.
In centre midfield we don’t need 2 holding mids.
Schneiderlin and herrera will be a great combo. One holds and the other gets in support of the front 4.
Rooney likes the ball at feet and continually wants to be involved. So playing him as a 9 doesn’t get the best out of Rooney.
I am sure De Gea wants to be involved too, but it doesn’t mean he should be #9. Rooney has a role as #10 and he is not doing it well… actually he is terrible. I don’t think he would be better at #9: no first touch and passing that is worse than my 84 year old grandma…
My Point: rest Rooney, for god’s sake!!
“In centre midfield we don’t need 2 holding mids.”
Do you watch Schweini’s positioning ? From what I’ve observed, he’s playing in a box-to-box role and is often to be found to be pressing the opposition ahead of any of his team-mates. But, on the other hand, I’ve rarely seen him forward in an attacking role – in the Arsenal match, for example, Wenger sussed out LvG’s plan to stick Schweini on Cazorla and that sucked Schweini too far upfield which, in turn, left a big gap that TheArse’s quick passing exploited. I think that LvG learned a lesson from that experience and since then Schweini has played a less adventurous game.
Schneiderlin, on the other hand, is playing as a holding midfielder – really, his positioning is very much like MC16 in that he is often found between the two central defenders and doesn’t seem to venture forward.
Agreed.
Our tactics are terrible and boring.
But then we weren’t much better when Fergie ground out his last title playing Italian style football, either. Point is when people talk about the “United way” they are somewhat kidding themselves. We’ve been boring for years.
It’s worse under LVG, though.
We’re slow and ponderous and there seems to be no real movement. Just side and back-passes. This is why Lindegard needs to play. He passes forward, dribbles forward and presents himself. He’s also quick.
Which is why he won’t play. We were dire all last week. Dire. I caught Sunderland and Newcastle and was stunned by how fast it looked. Been used to United games, I guess.
Haters gonna hate, however Rooney’s football has now caught up with Ed & Paul’s assessment of it. In hope more than expectation, I’m choosing to see in van Gaal’s recent announcement that Smalling is the next-in-line captain, and the club’s recent announcement of a testimonial, that moves are now afoot re Rooney’s previously untouchable status in the starting XI.
Isn’t the other elephant in the room though, Ed & Paul’s shocking record this season in getting Rant Cast out with anything like the consistency podcasters of their status and responsibility should be achieving ?