08 Aug 2015 22:56:39
Little bit of a rant.

I've seen a few posts saying that Rooney can't lead the line after one game there today.

Does that mean costa and Kane can't either because neither scored today?

Rooney is praised the world over for his all round ability, the time he has played up front he's scored goals, if Walker hadn't got back Rooney would have scored today.

I don't 'like' Rooney, but it seems like a decent size of this page looks for any reason to criticise him.

Let's not forget he has zero service today even with Depay playing.

The way I see it is that if Rooney played on the shoulder he's be as prolific as anyone, currently we've seen two of the best strikers of their era come in and fail to play this system (with their back to goal) - those strikers are still formidable players in a 'strikers system'.

I can't tell you if Rooney will score 50 or 5 but what I can tell you is that if players equal or superior to Rooney struggled in this system then Rooney will need time to really understand his new role in the team as an out and out striker with his back to goal - which is hard enough as it is without players being to scared to play a risky pass.

1.) 08 Aug 2015
08 Aug 2015 23:44:29
Totally agree. Rooney gets slated for regular performances and doesn't get the benefit of the doubt that other players are granted. It was the first game of the season and he's already coming under criticism from fans when he didn't even play badly at all. People see what they want to see though especially when it comes to Rooney.

2.) 08 Aug 2015
08 Aug 2015 23:48:05
Well said sir well said. I'm a very rare poster but there is some abnormal animosity towards rooney on here. Definitely undeserved in my eyes

3.) 09 Aug 2015
09 Aug 2015 00:36:32
I think Rooney has been great for the club but he's not in the top 10 strikers in world football now and when a team plays one up front and wants to challenge they need a top striker. I think he has a part to play but would like a Lewandowski or benzema unfortunately I don't think those players are available right now.

4.) 09 Aug 2015
09 Aug 2015 00:52:22
Jaime - I can understand that, I'm personally unsure about whether he's up to it, ideally we need a big man with a good first touch, strong, quick and can finish.

Lewandowski, Benzema, etc. all play off the shoulder and in this system they wouldn't be effective.

If I could have a 3 man shortlist without restrictions it would be; Costa, Muller, Benteke. - all 3 were made for that role.

5.) 09 Aug 2015
09 Aug 2015 01:11:11
Moon, Costa looked threatening throughout the game, Rooney did little to nothing of note. I'm not saying Rooney is garbage and get rid, but comparing him and Costa today is comparing apples to oranges.

However, I will say that we need a top class striker to provide depth and competition. Rooney's touch and movement were poor last year and hasn't I'm proved through preseason/today. He needs to be pushed and we need cover, quality cover. If we look at all our winning teams under Fergie, we always had an abundance of talent at forwaed/striker. Even with only one striker in our system we still need a top second choice - one look at the number of games in August is sufficient evidence.

We should also be looking to bring in someone around 26 years old to replace Rooney jn the next year or so. Zlatan is phenomenal player but is too old and we will be left looking for strikers in two years time again. Lewandowski would be my choice.

6.) 09 Aug 2015
09 Aug 2015 02:01:29
That's because of the systems both teams play.

Stick Rooney in a side surrounded by Hazard, Fabregas, Willian & Oscar and he would look just as threatening.

I agree that perhaps Rooney may need to be replaced (if he cannot adjust) however Lewandowski would flop heavily in this system.

LVG said he wants his striker to have 12 touches per game, I'm assuming it's around 6 shots worth. No wonder Rooney isn't getting involved and imposing himself - He's not supposed too!

7.) 09 Aug 2015
09 Aug 2015 07:54:01
We got lucky with that own goal, Rooney should have hit that first time. Ed002 has said that we are/were trying to sign a striker this window, I suspect it was Mueller or Lewandowski, that would have meant Rooney dropping slightly deeper fighting it out with Mata. If we cannot bring in an adequate striker then we will have to make do with Rooney until we can sign a better leading striker. He's far from the best leading striker and we should have better at a club as big as ours, but there are also worse players out there.

8.) 09 Aug 2015
09 Aug 2015 08:25:07
Jm. I like rooney and he's been great for our team. However, he can't play the position he's been asked. And that's my annoyance. If lvg knew he was going to play this way, then he should've bought a striker who can fit. Round holes and square pegs!
I disagree on Lewandawaski. He will be the perfect fit for this roll. He can hold the ball. He is tall strong and quick. And he can finish much better than rooney.
Finally, 1st day of the season, sun shinning, packed OT and United create very little chances against a poor Spurs side. It was very underwhelming.

9.) 09 Aug 2015
09 Aug 2015 08:37:13
Again Costa is miles ahead of rooney. Watch when he gets the ball, he intimidates people, runs at defenders and takes them on. There is a gulf in talent between the two players.

No idea why you think lewandowski isn't suited for this system. Good finisher, can create his own chances and has very good hold up play. He is also a much better target man than Rooney. This makes even less sense when you say benteke, who is an inconsistent, injury prone, and sometimes lazy player would fit the system better.

10.) 09 Aug 2015
09 Aug 2015 09:41:33
I am one of those that expressed this opinion and it wasn't just because of one game.

Rooney for me is a workhorse and there's not a man with eyeballs and a brain that can dispute that, but as a goalscorer he can blow hot and cold and that is not something you want as a solo striker.

Add to this his discipline to stay forward lasted around 35mins then he became frustrated or got bored and started dropping deeper and deeper.

He hasn't got the legs to either chase down defenders in posession or leave them in his wake when we counter attack and that was evident yesterday as nearly every counter attack was pulled up with nobody splitting the defenders.

These are my views not intended to be negative just an honest assessment of how i see it.

11.) 09 Aug 2015
09 Aug 2015 10:48:37
Lewandowski is perfect for this formation.