Manchester United Banter Archive June 19 2014

19 Jun 2014 22:45:27
Feel sick right now. I feel over the 2 games if we had cole we would of got a result. Having 2 poor defensive fullbacks stretches the 2 centre backs and has caused us problems. Il be supporting chile from now on there a breath of fresh air. Also Now too look forward to the start of the season. The fixtures have been very kind yuto is giving us the top 4 right in the middle off when they'll be in Europe having said that with the way ed is doing his business Il settle for 4th now.

19 Jun 2014 16:15:40
OK I am noticing a lot of Rooney activity going on at the moment on this site (mostly due to the world cup) but I want to throw something in the mixer.

Rooney is nailed on to become our clubs top goalscorer of all time, he is England's highest world cup goalscorer (qualifying included) and when you look back at our greatest goals then surely he has more entries in there than any other player. He has one of the best long balls in the world and if you closely watch Gerrard I am sure he misplaces more long passes than Wayne.

The things that do worry me about him more than anything are his random loss of first touch and maybe his fitness although it does seem that he has been putting himself through a bit of extra training.

More to my point is if you look at his stats he has scored as many this season as he has throughout his career bar the two special seasons (both resulted in champions league finals and one he scored in) and his assists are always high.

I think more of you would be happy if he ran around the pitch chasing every ball and kissing his badge and only scored in big games than you are with this Rooney who has consistently good seasonal stats but looks a bit lazy.

The point I am getting at is would this hate come around if he was only on 100k per week and he had spent all the time kissing the badge and pulling a Giggs in terms of loyalty because he is certainly still one of out greats?

I don't like him and he is in decline, but he is still a good player who is important for us and England. In my mind he is vital for England but is drop-able for us as we have a better squad than the England squad in that position. If it was me in charge I would have Rooney off of Sturridge, Sterling to the right and Lallana to the left. That fits in everyone much better. Sterling would have much more of an impact wide than Rooney does due to his pace.

The only thing I'll disagree with is the 'greatest goals' bit. Watch Beckham's youtube vid of all his prem goals. Good lord. Other than that I pretty much agree.

Pulling a Giggsy? What on earth do you mean by that? Over 20 years loyal service, never demanding more money, never questioning the clubs ambition, never turning up overweight, never sulking, never whining, never thinking you are 'the main man'? Yes, if Wayne did this he would get more respect. But he hasn't (sorry Deeps)

I have just seen him give his best performance for a long time for England

Rooney has had two truly stand out seasons, he is not a 20 goal a season striker. He is a good player who was playing in some very good attack minded teams. Rooney is the English Torres, he has been built up by marketing and media to a level far above his ability. He's a poor professional and a poor athlete.

Haha AJH, what did you make of his effort today? May be people will realize football games are not won by a single individual.

Deeps.

20 Jun 2014 13:17:05
I'll admit I'm one of his biggest critics but you can't fault him based on last night. If a few more had played with his commitment would have been a better result. Saying that England looked so much better when they put Barkley on. And how overhyped is Sterling?

19 Jun 2014 15:13:40
I've been having this argument about Wayne Rooney for a while now with my friends, I believe he is past his best and should either adopt a midfield role or be moved on, the one thing I always ask my friends none of them have been able to answer so I'd like to ask u guys.

When was the last time u remember Wayne Rooney putting in a top class performance against a top class side?

I'm really curious to everyone's answers

I don't think there is an argument really Diego. I think most agree he's past his best. The problem is he isn't good enough to play midfield and moving him on won't be easy either. Utd would want at least 30m and his reported 300k a week will put off any buyers. I don't know what happens with him but endless posts about it won't provide many answers. I can't remember the last time he had a cracker against a top side but I do remember him dragging us through a good few games over the past few years.

Even when he scored the overhead kick against man city, he was having a shocking game up until that point

I just find it amazing how much he goes missing in big games, I think the last time I remember was when we beat Milan 3-2, but again I can't remember if he was great the full game

I think we may see a better Rooney tonight if he plays central. I think he will be pumped up due to there being so many critics on his back. The media will be waiting for him to hit another sitter wide so they can blast him. I think he will do good tonight.

Either play him as a striker or don't play him at all, people need to quit this whole midfield thing. he dosent have the technical abilty or temperament to play there, don't let the pointless long balls decieve you. paul scholes used to set off attacks with them trademark passes not just do it for the sake of it.

As an out and out striker he is one of the best in the world in the 10 role half decent as a winger has a bit of ability as a midfielder weak

Hope Rooney gets a hatrick tonight just to silence the critics of him not scoring in big games

19 Jun 2014 00:02:24
Here's a question for everyone, ed's included. If you had to pick your top 3 Manchester United players, based purely on ability who would they be and why? For me:
1) Robin Van Persie- just class, lethal in front of goal, great at set peices. Can score any kind of goal, for me one of if not the best out and out strikers in the world.
2) Juan Mata- best number 10 in the league when played there for me. Can score plenty of goals, and creates so many chances, brings some creativity to the team we haven't had in years.
3) Adnan Januzaj- he's special. Best talent we've had since Ronaldo and Rooney were signed. Can do it all and the sky's the limit with him, it really is.

{Ed004's Note - The same first two but I'd have Kagawa third for his technical ability though he is not suited to our style of play unfortunately. Januzaj will be a better player over time in fact probably a far better player but he is just potential ATM}

1) Buttner - Man of the match every time he plays, and unflinchingly modest.
2) Anderson - Never stops running for the team and will work his heart out for the full 15 minutes.
3) Smalling - Most intelligent player in the EPL, his decisiveness is legendary.

David de gea might get in there

I think many on this page know I have no particular affection for Rooney. In fact, I dislike him and want him out, but there no denying he's one of our best plyers atm, up there with Mata after Van Persie imo.

I see your point on kagawa ed, but with such potential I had to put him in! Especially because last season he produced it on a consistent basis

Mick, I was toying with putting him in, I just felt in my opinion anyway that with adnan's potential I'd put him in ahead of Rooney. It was close

Top top quality Danny.

You could also have had Bebe! a snip at £7M.

Putting a serious head on for a moment, it has to be RVP, DDG, and Januzaj, purely for his potential.

RVP - top class
DDG - almost top class
Janujaz - will be top class

Silva is a better number 10 than Mata imo, although it was a toss up between Mata & Janujaz. Kagawa should be better but system hasn't worked so we haven't seen it. Rooney not opening that can of worms again for a few days at least.

Rooney
De Gea
Januzaj

I'd go with RVP, Mata and then I can't choose between Kagawa and DeGea. I'd probably go for DeGea as I spent over a season defending the poor guy when he signed, both on here and with my mates and he has certainly repaid the faith of those who backed him.

Rooney- legend for club and country in my eyes, gives everything whenever he steps on the pitch regardless

De Gea- been so impressed with his rate of progress after shaky start, one of the top 5 goalies in the world, could be number one soon

RvP- world class but I was disappointed with his attitude last year otherwise he'd be number two

Well believe my opinon of the top five goalies in the world Neuer Buffon Courtois Cech De Gea

I agree with believe
Rooney, rvp, de gea.

Van Persie, Mata and de Gea for me. Notable mentions to Kagawa, Januzaj and Rooney.

Rooney, RVP, De Gea - Notable mention for Kagawa for being a little magician. He can pop up in any "best player" list without doing sod all for 2 years. Bites, how many? 1, 2, 3?

Deeps.

I don't think anyone expected any different Deeps/Jred :)

I think I'd go for: RvP - Rooney - Mata.

I agree Deeps. Kags has been so ineffective except a few games and it is just not enough. His confidence level is low and he can't handle pressure / physical games. at least for the past couple of years.

Not going to bite Deeps but it is a poll on ability not what they have actually done for United. Mata is only just settling but is in people's top 3's too and rightly so. In the right system with the right players around him this season, I think we will see great things from both Mata and Kagawa.

Oh and Deeps/Jred, feel free to check out the post above about a Rooney/RVP poll.

19 Jun 2014 18:24:53
So I might get shot down here but in the original question he said 'pure ability' if that means regardless of form, Nani has to be in there for me.

On 'Pure Ability' though obviously.

Our top players for me;

RVP, Mata, DDG

Rvp goal poacher penalty genius
Mata absolute magician will also suit Van Gaals system more than you think Van Der Vaart is the same type of player he suits his system and the legend
Wayne Rooney he might be declining but still scored last season when it mattered