Rooney emulates Scholes

AFTER all those years studying the master of his art, Wayne Rooney knows the time has come: this is the moment to step into the shoes of Paul Scholes. Scholes, Manchester United’s puppet-master during those golden years, set the bar in terms of what a midfielder should do when pulling the strings and it was always felt that Rooney, later in his career, could do the same. At Wembley on Saturday evening, there was resounding evidence to suggest this is the position where Rooney’s future lies. As he ushered balls into danger zones, inviting Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard to scamper forward, it all began to make sense. Louis van Gaal did not take a leap into the unknown when he thrust Rooney into a deeper position for the FA Cup semi-final but his performance against Everton opened up possibilities. If his days as an explosive striker belong to the past, the idea of him being United’s architect is enthralling. ‘I’ve known for a few years I can play that role,’ said Rooney, as he relished the prospect of playing his first FA Cup Final since 2007. ‘I have done it a few times in my career. I watched Paul Scholes play that role for years and always knew one day that’s where I‘d play, so I have tried to learn. It is still early days but, hopefully, if I keep playing there I can develop and get better.’ Goals from Marouane Fellaini and Martial — either side of a Chris Smalling own goal — sank Everton, whose boss Roberto Martinez made a plea to save his job, saying: ‘I believe there are signs we are getting close to challenging for silverware.’