Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson are in a certain dilemma right now. Alex confirmed tonight that Rooney is not going to sign an extension and could potentially leave as early as the end of the season due to a FIFA loophole saying that he can buy out the last year of his contract only for 5 mil.
Am I surprised?
Not really, the current history tells you that most of the stars that leave Manchester United leave with some sort of discontent for Sir Alex during the end of the runs at Old Trafford. The exceptions to the rule are Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs (I'm not going to put Gary Neville on this list.). What is exactly happening here to have players like Ince, Stam, Keane, van Nistlerooy, Tevez, CR7, Beckham, and possibly Rooney to leave?
In every case there has been some sort of disagree between player and manager that Alex often is the one that takes offense of and it ends up being that the player leaves the club. My opinion Sir Alex wants people that listen to everything he says and don't question his authority. Think about the two players that lasted the longest. They have taken less workloads by playing every other game (if there are Champions League midweek games involved). Giggs has taken a more central role for the club. Scholes retired from the English national team to focus on club football. Do you think that Fergie didn't have any involvement in his decision?
These players feel some sort of invincibility. They think that once I leave the club will crumble. However these players have left within the 15 years and there is still one constant, the manager. He can scout for the next Jaap Stam (Vidic) or Cristiano Ronaldo (Nani) and possibly a Rooney (Hernandez, you thought I was going to say Bebe didn't you). Players will always want to play for Manchester United and if that is the case they won't falter any unless they miss the Champions League.
The Rooney Situation
Let's discuss Rooney's situation, the Red Devils will say that this has something to do with money. Rooney's discontent could be because he wasn't consulted about why he was taken out of key games. If there was any discussion between him and the managing staff about them wanting to protect their player, he still wouldn't be too happy but he would understand what is going on.
When Rooney hears from the media that he is injured especially when he wants to play every game he can, of course he is going to feel some sort of anger. "Supporters" or "fans" of Manchester United say that Rooney isn't loyal to the cause. I think he was loyal to it until about a month or two ago when he begun to miss key games in the beginning of the season. The club didn't show their faith to one of their important players. Remember he was never an early season goal-scorer, he would produce when they needed it the most. However when he isn't in the game, then how is he suppose to produce?
I am a professed Sir Alex hater plus I am a footballer myself so I will always take the players side unless they are found out that they are wrong beyond doubt. I will take Rooney's side because at least in a couple performances especially the Switzerland match for England, he played well and scored a goal. Then in his next match with Manchester United, he was left out of the line-up to be protected from the abuse he would receive at Goodison Park against Everton, his former club. A player cannot get his top form back if he is playing sporadically.
Then again, he might have had an ankle injury. If he did then why did Wayne play against Montenegro and claimed that he wasn't injured at all. Obviously we aren't being told the whole story about this saga. However it looks like it has the same end as the rest of those disgruntled superstars. He won't be wearing the Red Devils patch next year.
The difference in this situation than the others (except for CR7) is that the other players were going to the other side of their careers. Rooney is only 25 years of age and he hasn't hit the prime of his career. If Fergie allows him to leave for cheap and more than likely for another English club, it will probably be the mistake that buries his career. I don't think he wants to be the manager that let one of the best English players in this generation go to another English club.
What will happen?
Only time will tell, I think he will last the season but Ferguson is angry about another superstar thinking he is bigger than the team. So he will most likely leave and where he goes will depend on how personal the rest of this year gets. If the relationship deteriorates more, do not be surprised if he goes across town to Manchester City as a replacement for Tevez who doesn't like the way he is being used by Mancini. Rooney won't be as frustrated with the lone striker role as Tevez because he has worked that role many times at United and he is at his best when he makes something out of nothing.
This could still end well for United fans, they aren't even half-way done with the season yet and they are in all competitions right now. So Rooney will be needed in this clutch run. What they don't need is supporters whistling him because it will cutting their noses to spite their face. The season will end disastrously if they do so.
I say that Rooney is more than likely leaving but my predictions often bite me in the backside. There is a long time between now and June for him to make his final decision and he could have a change of heart. We will see soon...
No comments:
Post a Comment