02 Oct 2012 22:44:18
Doesn't today prove that Rooney in a CM role is fantastic!? pin point long and short range passing, great vision and great movement. He replaced Scholes there and did brilliantly, could pick any pass out. Honestly if our defense tightened up and if we could get a solid CM behind Scholes like Fletch on top form and Rooney supporting RVP, dropping deep with Scholes on occasion then I fancy our chances in any match. Especially when Vidic comes back.
Dan
Rooney and Cleverly did link up very well I must say, especially the quick short passes.
I'm not convinced personally. Rooney looked ok last night but lets bare in mind that he was playing against a team who played ridiculously deep and sat off him, giving him lots of time on the ball. Rooney wouldn't fare so well if he were playing against a team that played with higher energy levels and closed him down much more quickly. If we are to see 2 up front with 1 in behind then I would rather Rooney and RVP up top with Kagawa playing in behind as Kagawa is much better at dealing with tight situations.
TK-Red
TK makes a good point. We can only hope that we soon see Rooney, RvP and Kagawa all start together, they were all on against Spurs in the second half.
Ozwald
A good point but Kagawa doesn't have the range of passing to do what Rooney does and at the moment is knocked off the ball far too easily. I would like to see Kagawa on the left, Rooney in the middle, Valencia on the right and RVP up top in a 4-2-3-1. That is what SAF wants as well. Rooney played the same way against Newcastle i the cup though he was a bit further up against spurs because Scholes ws on the pitch. He could still get 10-15 goals a season from midfield and honestly I think we get more out of him there for the team than up front. RVP is a better finisher and goalscorer and could get 30+ goals a season there if Rooney is supplying him from deeper. Perhaps he may not be as effective in bigger matches but if he is and I think he will be, then ACM is where he belongs IMO.
Dan
We were playing against a nothing team.
We were playing against a nothing team.
Not now, but in the future, Rooney will take that role. I have been saying it for a number of years and it is a statement which is always met with disagreement. Granted, today he would be wasted in that position, but that is where he will end up playing. Just ask Wayne.
MDJ
Playing against a nothing team? I'm sorry but you 'no namer' must not understand what the Champions League is? A competition for Europes best clubs to play each other. Lets not forget while Cluj don't have history they're not too shabby, managing to beat Basel in the qualifying who knocked us out last season. Also They beat Braga away, so you know like i said they're not too shabby.
Completely agree with MDJ, Rooney is the only person will a passing capability compared to Scholesy. Yes he needs to work on a few things like being more alert and fast thinking with his choice of pass sometimes but that will come with age. I can picture him in his 30s controlling a game in a similar manor to the way Scholes does now.
Ozwald