The Future of Wayne Rooney

BY AMIRY FAHMI

 THIS WAS WRITTEN ON 25/9/2016:

            The future of Wayne Mark Rooney has been pretty much set on stone yesterday, after being dropped from the starting line-up to the bench. Manchester United cruised to a 4-1 victory against reigning champions Leicester City yesterday, in what was, in my opinion, the best performance – the first half – by the Red Devils.

            Out of the picture and out of the action, was United’s captain Wayne Rooney. As he sat on the bench, watching his fellow team-mates play elegant football in the first half in which United sailed to score 4 goals in only 20 minutes – three set-piece goals from Chris Smalling, Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and a scintillating team play that ended up in the back of the net by Juan Mata.

            During all the excitement, I and perhaps millions of other Manchester United fans wondered: Is Rooney’s absent a crucial factor to United’s brilliant performance?

            To answer that, we have to take in consideration the opponent’s lack of quality. Leicester’s performance was utterly the opposite of their last year’s miracle season. Their dearth of concentration in defence (especially Marcus Rashford quick corner goal), lack of defensive pressure, and shortage of attacking enthusiasm was partly due to the conceding of 4 goals that occurred in the first half. But Leicester and even other opponents aside, Wayne Rooney’s absentee is somewhat a factor to the team’s amazing performance yesterday.

After all the talking after the game, many wondered: What is Wayne Rooney’s future at Manchester United? Is he going to still play for United? Or is he not going to play anymore until the January transfer window?

Rest assured, I think Wayne Rooney is still a vital presence in Manchester United, and will be there for many years to come. By just having him in the dressing room is in fact more important than having him on the pitch. United have a bevy of quality players – much better than Rooney – that can influence the game. However, none of them has the ability to bring assurance and motivation to the team prior to the game except for Wayne Rooney.

He is still a leader for the team, but not a leader on the pitch. His skills on the pitch are depleting, and it is only fair for him to be side-lined and played as a squad-rotation player.

The decision to drop him, must have been very difficult for Jose Mourinho (Manager of Manchester United), who has to take in consideration of what Wayne has achieved, and partly because he is the team’s captain. Nevertheless, I was surprised that Wayne was dropped but I was also pleased that Mourinho took such risky decision that eventually paid off.

Reasons to why Wayne was dropped is due to his age and how it has affected his level of ability. His pace is slower, his stamina is weaker, and perhaps his strength is not anywhere near as before. Having him in the first 11, was to me, a hindrance for other’s to shine. Rooney’s new position always resolves him playing in the middle behind the no. 10 and no. 9. As a consequences of his depleting attributes, United’s game of football tends to be slow, immobile, lack of creativity and very predictable.

The decision to drop him looks pretty harsh on Wayne, but it is the right one. Wherever you look at it, United are not implying on ostracizing Rooney, but in fact, saving his reputation and game time. In hindsight, we should definitely respect Wayne Rooney’s tremendous achievements in his footballing career and qualities. He is and will always be a Manchester United legend. With 700+ appearances already in his career and 4 goals shying away from breaking Bobby Charlton’s all-time Manchester United’s top scorer, there’s no doubt Rooney will be an iconic figure in the hearts of United fans forever.

The likes of Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, and Ryan Giggs, who at the time of Rooney’s age were also given less game time. But that did not mean that they were out of the picture. They were still considered as an important figure in the team. Their presence and guidance to players off-pitch is by far more crucial than their performance on the pitch.

To be in Rooney’s shoes right now is difficult as he has to adapt to the changes that will occur. He has to accept that his time has come, and I am pretty sure he knew that it was going to come. I reckon, he is gutted that he is no longer a regular outfield player, and yet relieved that he is saved from the cruel scrutiny of fans and media.

His recent regular playing time accompanying with his diminishing ability has put him under a lot of pressure. His position as the team’s captain and fans’ urgent need to see the ‘old Rooney’ adds up to more pressure to the ex-Everton player.

In conclusion, every football player will have to give way for others when their age has taken over their footballing skills. No player is the same as he or she was 10 years ago.

On a positive side, life would be relaxing for Wayne Rooney. He would be starting in the line-up occasionally, perhaps for the not-so-big games. He might be playing for 15-20 minutes after coming on from the bench. Hence, isn’t this much more ideal than to put himself in a position where he is required to play like how he used to?

The fans agree, and the most amazing thing is that everyone still respect his achievements for club and country. Even with such scrutiny, his respect is still called for by many.

His only job now, is to lead the team from the outside. Guide the young players, inspire the team to win games, and make sure that players and staff enjoy training sessions and occasionally gives him time to prepare for games that he does get to play, which will perhaps benefit his performance.

The Giggsy, the Scholesy all knew their time had come and had to deal with it. Wayne Rooney is no different. This is Manchester United’s new future and it is not that we get less of Wayne Rooney because we never will. He is a crucial part of United and he will always be a United player. But he doesn’t have to be on the pitch. He only has to be with the team. That is the future of Manchester United and that is the future of Wayne Mark Rooney.