Don't let Wayne go out with a whimper
GIVE ROO PROPER SEND-OFF
WAYNE ROONEY seems to have been waving a long and lingering goodbye to England and Manchester United this season.
He has had a difficult campaign, in both domestic and international football, as he comes to terms with the fact he is no longer the influential power he once was.
It has been strange to see one of the most dominant figures of his generation have to accept a role in the shadows.
But what is even more strange is the fact that the 31-year-old could end up leaving United with nothing more than a whimper.
Sentiment is a strange thing in top-level sport and here in England we tend to treat it with a certain indifference.
Some people get it who don’t deserve it, while others who do
deserve it find themselves at the opposite end of the spectrum.
The growing belief is that Rooney will leave Old Trafford this summer and that he has also made his last appearance for England.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate has left him out of his last two squads and is looking to the future. It appears to be one that doesn’t include Rooney.
At United, Rooney has become a squad man and this is not enough for someone who thinks he can still perform at the highest level every week.
So we find ourselves leaning towards the remarkable scenario of Rooney having pulled on the England and United shirts for the last time without a send-off fitting for someone who has achieved so much.
Rooney has always divided opinion. He’s made mistakes, both on and off the field, and failed to make an impact at the three World Cups he’s been to.
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But he’s given unyielding service to England, making 119 appearances to become the most capped outfield player in Three Lions history.
He also happens to be our record scorer with 53 goals, a total that might never be beaten. This personal milestone sits alongside the all-time goalscoring record he set with United, the club he’s spent 13 years with and helped win 16 trophies.
Both of the scoring records he beat belonged to Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the most revered figures in football.
Charlton also won the World Cup but this shouldn’t diminish what Rooney has achieved.
The situation with England is complicated by the fact Rooney wants to continue – providing Southgate with the chance to give him the farewell he’s earned.
This could be in France next week, when Southgate’s men take part in a meaningless friendly.
We see players given a rousing send-off all the time. Iker Casillas got one when he left Real Madrid, Steven Gerrard did at Liverpool.
It was the same for Manchester City’s Pablo Zabaleta and few will forget the fuss Chelsea made of John Terry a couple of weeks ago.
Some think United should honour Rooney with a statue outside the ground once his time there does come to an end.
Rooney had to settle for an appearance in Michael Carrick’s testimonial yesterday.
He is in danger of disappearing to China or America next season without his contribution to English football getting the recognition it deserves. And that would be unjust.