Despite his wonder goal Wayne Rooney is still struggling
After one of the greatest goals many football fanatics’ eyes will ever see, a very odd and silly looking celebration it would have been easy to jump on the thought Wayne Rooney is back on form and will now push on for the rest of the season. But it really isn’t the case.
Having been dubbed a world-class player for a while now it does seem rather unjustified and fictitious. Yes, he is a good player but to be called world-class would mean putting him in the same bracket as the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi or Andres Iniesta.
Much like Andy Carroll, his label has come with very little proof. Actually that may be a little harsh on Wazza; Carroll’s reputation is based on next to nothing. Excuse the pun, but Carroll is punching well above his weight, referring to his fondness of throwing his fists in people’s faces rather than at the air in celebration of course.
This may all change in the future but as many need to learn, we do live in the present, so back to Rooney.
It is true he scored an impressive 34 goals in 44 games last season, but that was when Manchester United had very little else finding the net and the 26 in the Premiership didn’t even get him the golden boot. The closest scorer to the number 10 was Dimitar Berbatov with 12, no other player even got into double figures for the season (bearing in mind this is in all competitions).
Now you can site the fact this season he has had his personal problems, all of his own doing though and he has suffered from a few injuries. He has still made 22 appearances, scoring six, only three of which came from open play.
His overall play, from his touch to his shooting has been poor, but even the most hardcore United fan has to admit, he has never been a natural finisher. Either way, only scoring three goals from open play so far this season deems his world class tag a little premature.
The problem with the player is complex though, his overall play should dictate the fact he plays well with a striker partner. He isn’t an out and out striker, dropping deep and linking up the play seems to be what suits him; yet, his best season by a country mile came when playing alone up top. Doesn’t make much sense does it?
It really is puzzling and for now, time will only reveal the right way to make the most of his talents.
Even though he is very overrated, and some may have noticed, rarely criticised no matter how awful he plays, there is very little doubt in my mind he will be one of the greats. Still, I wonder if Sir Alex Ferguson fantasises over what things could have been like had he kept Carlos Tevez to play alongside Dimitar Berbatov.
