Hail Rooney after a long career of selfless sacrifice
THREE OF THE BEST FROM A CLUB LEGEND
IT IS often the case in football that a player is never fully appreciated until they have retired.
And it took Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a superstar who has played in six different countries, to make the point that the English footballing public – even some Manchester United fans – have never fully acknowledged Wayne Rooney’s achievements.
England’s repeated failure at major tournaments has not helped, nor has the fact that he plays for a club that attracts as many enemies as it does followers. Just remember the abuse David Beckham, now considered a national treasure, had to endure.
On an individual level, Rooney has not scaled the global pinnacles reached by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – but then they have not plied their trade in the hurly-burly world of the Premier League for 15 years.
And they have not always put the team first, as Rooney has always done.
Darren Fletcher agrees with Ibrahimovic that much of Rooney’s work has gone unappreciated. “He is the ultimate team player, willing to sacrifice himself for the good of the team,” said Scotland captain Fletcher, who played alongside Rooney for a decade before his switch to West Brom.
“Goalscorers are renowned as being a little bit selfish and only thinking of themselves and about personal records, but Wayne’s first focus is always on the team winning the game and the team winning titles. Without a COMMENT doubt he has definitely not had the credit he deserves.
“Getting the United goalscoring record will get Wayne more recognition now. But when he has retired people will look back at what he achieved and look at all his records and will be talking about one of England’s alltime greatest players – and one of Manchester United’s all-time greatest players.”
Significantly, when Rooney broke Sir Bobby Charlton’s United scoring record with that stunning free-kick on Saturday, his first thought was not to milk the moment but to urge his team-mates to get the ball out of the net and restart play because United needed a winner.
And his pride at his achievement was tinged with frustration United had been held to a 1-1 draw by Stoke.
Some United fans have never forgiven Rooney for twice wanting to leave the club – first in 2010 when he felt, with good reason at that stage, they were lacking ambition in the transfer market, and then again in 2013 when he fell out with Sir Alex Ferguson after being left out of certain games.
Others have used his disciplinary record to mark him down. Compared to Charlton he has been no angel, but then Sir Bobby will be the first to admit he never had to tackle because he had ‘minders’ such as Nobby Stiles and Paddy Crerand around him. The two other
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members of United’s fabled Holy Trinity, Denis Law and George Best, certainly had the devil in them and had frequent run-ins with the authorities, but they are rightly revered for their talent.
Others judge Rooney, 31, for the player he is now rather than the player he was.
The years and number of games have diminished his powers but he still has a contribution to make, while his record may never be beaten. In this day and age very few players either stay at one club for as long as he has, or can sustain a career at the top level as he has.
When United manager Jose Mourinho was asked who could surpass Rooney’s mark he suggested, possibly, Marcus Rashford because, at 19, he has time on his side let alone prodigious talent.
But to put Rooney’s achievement into some perspective, Rashford – who has 14 goals so far – is going to have to score around 20 a season for the next 12 years to pass him. And that is going some, especially when injuries and dips in form are factored into the equation.
Apart from his goals, Rooney is only two trophies away from becoming the first British player to complete a clean sweep of football’s top club honours.
He has won the Club World Cup, Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Community Shield. That leaves just the Europa League and European Super Cup – both of which United could win this year.
v Man City, Feb 2011
Spectacular overhead kick, above, to meet Nani’s cross rocketed into the top corner – and it didn’t matter that the ball came off his shin, as it not only gave United a 2-1 derby win but also secured three points on the way to title.
v Newcastle, Apr 2005
Not crucial in context of season but summed up his talent and raw aggression as Rooney broke off a running row with referee to scorch a volley in from 25 yards, before running scowling towards the Stretford End. Always at his best when playing on edge.
v West Ham, Mar 2014
As the ball bounced just inside the Hammers’ half, Rooney nudged off his marker and sent a shot arcing over keeper Adrian. For sheer audacity it mirrored the famous chip in 1996 from David Beckham, who just happened to be in Upton Park crowd.