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Wayne's dilemma: To stay or not to stay

Despite a blip in form, leaving United does not look wise

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Nitin Sreedhar
At 27, Wayne Rooney stands at a crucial stage in his footballing career. His previous season with Manchester United has been lacklustre. He made 36 appearances and scored 16 goals in all competitions. That is his lowest number of appearances and goals in the nine years that he has been at the club.

His position as an out-and-out striker has been taken over by Robin Van Persie. The Dutchman scored a scorching 30 goals last season, and in doing so he also propelled United to the Premier League title. Rooney operated mainly in the midfield. His range of passing is exquisite, and it was used to the core last season by Sir Alex last season.
 
Despite, winning the Premier League title last season, Rooney has been cut a lonely figure, admitting that he was not comfortable in the midfield position. Not every striker feels comfortable playing out of position. And one cannot blame Wazza for this. At 197 goals for United, he is three away from the momentous 200-goal mark. That would leave him with only 49 goals behind Sir Bobby Charlton’s record-haul of 249 goals. He is chasing the coveted position of being Manchester United’s highest goal-scorer.

But as it is said that choices have consequences, Sir Alex’s choice to deploy Rooney in the playmaker position has led him to submitting his second transfer request in three years. He was left on the bench in the crucial UEFA Champions League semi-final tie against Real Madrid at Old Trafford. Although, he was brought on late in the match, Rooney could not save United from being dumped out of the European competition.

Apart from that, Rooney did not play any part in the last three games of the season as well. It was after the last home fixture of the season against Swansea City, that Sir Alex revealed Rooney was not keen on playing and had handed in a transfer request. The outgoing-Scot explained why Rooney was disappointed on being dropped, with Sir Alex saying that “a 100% fit Wayne Rooney would have never be dropped.”

Last stand

Despite handing in a transfer request, United have told all potential suitors that Wayne Rooney would not be sold. And David Moyes — the man who will be replacing Sir Alex at United’s helm — will have a huge task at hand. Having managed Rooney when he was at Everton, he needs to convince Wazza that he is at the right club with the right ambitions.

At 27 — considered a pivotal time in a footballer’s career — Wayne Rooney does not have many options. Big spending French club, Paris Saint-Germain, have shown the most prominent interest in acquiring the Englishman’s services. Chelsea and Arsenal have shown an outside interest. But it entirely depends on Rooney. It is up to him to decide, whether he needs to stay at Old Trafford or look for greener pastures elsewhere.

What can United do? Tell Rooney, that a team can be built around him. That he can play side-by-side Robin Van Persie. Together, they could forge a deadly partnership up front. Such a situation would not affect the sentiment of other strikers at United. Danny Welbeck, 22, is a young and industrious player, who is willing and able to operate on the wings occasionally. Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez knows that he is best-suited to the super-sub role, from where he has scored most of his goals.

My younger sister thinks Rooney should stay at United. “He is a great player. And if he does not show his loyalty to the club right now, then when will he?”, she said. And that is what Rooney needs to do during the summer break. He needs to remember the moments he has had at the club. His debut against Turkish-outfit Fenerbache nine years ago, when he burst on to the scene and scored a hat trick. His majestic overhead kick against Manchester City in the 2010-11 season. His lovely lofted-pass to Robin Van Persie, which was despatched in sumptuous style, and which was elected as the Goal of the last season, last year. And most importantly, he needs to remember the times when the Old Trafford-faithful have sung his name. Even at tough times, Rooney is adept at Manchester United. A move to another club would not be a wise option.

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First Published: Jun 08 2013 | 3:42 PM IST

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