20 May 2014 08:11:14
Hi first time poster. There's been a fair bit of press about lvg building his team around a number 6. Someone who can keep possession, ping 60 yard passes either direction, and dictate things. Is this not ideal for Rooney. It will appeal to his ego, add some energy to our midfield and keep him away from the no 10 role

1.) 20 May 2014
You are taking the p*ss ain't you? Rooney ain't got the vision or the footballing brain to play that sort of role! How could you build team around a player who's only love is his pay packet!

2.) 20 May 2014
You lost me on "keep possession". Rooney loses the ball when smothered. He can ping 60 yard passes though. I think opposition would target Rooney specifically if he played that position and he would struggle. No doubt if he wasn't targeted by the opposition he would be able to play there no problems.

3.) 20 May 2014
Rooney is not good at keeping possession. Compare him to a Kroos or a Xavi and his pass rates are far worse and he loses the ball for more.

4.) 20 May 2014
I think people underestimate how difficult it is to be class in that position, its all about positional sense, first touch, vision and patience. Rooney has a little vision but none of the others.

5.) 20 May 2014
Yeah but that's based on Rooney playing far higher up the pitch, where it's harder to keep the ball and in a league where it's more in your face than Spain or Germany. Just my opinion but I reckon he's a lot better on the ball than given credit for. Plus if teams were to pressure him at 6 it would invite them on to us and create a bit of space further forward

6.) 20 May 2014
20 May 2014 10:53:25
Fergie tried it and he had a strop, also is first touch, short passing aren't good enough.

7.) 20 May 2014
20 May 2014 11:42:11
Earnie is that you? Lol.

Rooney doesn't have what it takes to play that role and certainly not in van Gaal's system.

To van Gaal the No.6 role is the most important position on the pitch, it sets and controls the tempo of the game, its a position that has the most passing lanes open to him at all times. This player needs to cover the defence set the pace of the game and start the attacks from deep. To do this the player needs amazing technique, inch perfect passing, along with excellent vision and reading of the game. They need to be intelligent amd above all else disicplined.

of which Rooney fails at most of the key criteria for this role. He isn't intelligent or disciplined, his technique is hit and miss as is his passing. His vision and reading of the game is also very up and down.

The only midfield role I can see Rooney playing in van Gaals system is as the box to box water carrier, and do be honest there are many many better players available to play that role.

In truth Rooney is a player who had the potential to become the best player in the world, but due to his poor proffesionalism has fallen short and has ended up in that catagory of very good but not quite world class. On his day he can produce moments of world class football. But he can't do it to order or conssitantly. that's why if we were to sell him teams such as Barca Real Madrid or Bayern wouldn't even consider him.

8.) 20 May 2014
Couldn't agree more Shappy.

9.) 20 May 2014
We should maybe try rvp in the 6 role?

10.) 20 May 2014
I think Robin Van Persie would be superb in this role. He is a worldie, he should fit in seamlessly, should'nt he?

Deeps.

Wanted to post it here, darn I fone

11.) 20 May 2014
Lvg is a good manager knows his stuff let's wait and see if shappy and co are right