22 May 2017 23:54:58
Hi, new poster chaps.
I think it's widely thought that Wayne Rooney will most likely be leaving united and whilst I applaud him for the career he's had up to this point there is always that question. 'what if?
I ask because what if Rooney had enough foresight and conditioned himself to be ready to play into his mid 30's and beyond.
It was widely said Rooney had more talent at 18 than Ronaldo did, we all saw that at euro 2004.
Rooney unfortunately lived for the moment and lived/ trained/ played like he always has and his body couldn't keep up with him, he didn't condition himself to play into his mid 30s onwards.
I just think he left it way too late to change hos role in the team effectively, his play throughout his career has been based on chasing everything down, playing it like you would in the street which is great when your a guy in your mid 20s but the body goes through such noticeable changes for athletes who've spent years sprinting and over working their muscles, he didn't change his routine to ensure vitality, look at ronaldo, he's around the same age but the work he puts in outside the training pitch is surreal.
The ice baths, the dietary regime, the tailored gym routine, all of which he took into account and would have prepared for years ago.
I have genuinely only praise for Rooney and he can be extremely proud of a great career, a record breaking one, still though, I'm left wondering, what if?
Sorry for long post, thoughts welcomed, great work eds. and regulars.
23 May 2017 01:51:59
Interesting post. Ronaldo had the maturity to go from being a young winger who was all about the tricks and stepovers to become a striker with a single-minded focus on goals. He had the body type as well as the great work ethic to build himself into a powerful center forward.
Rooney was never able to reinvent himself in another position as he got older. His game was built on power, speed, aggression, and instinctiveness. He was never a great dribbler or great at turning, and his passing could be too predictable at times.
LVG tried to turn him into a center midfielder but at the top level it is needed to great care of the ball, and Rooney was never going to be able to do that at a really consistent level. Could he have really developed into a solid center midfielder? He had the passing range, the willingness to lead, but lacked in other areas. You can tolerate erratic play from a striker, but not as much from a center mid.
He is still capable of moments of real quality, but sadly this year his mobility has really gone downhill. He is a smarter and more unselfish player than people give him credit for, he has given the club some amazing moments, but it does seem that his time is up.
23 May 2017 02:50:46
Done a great job for United. i applaud him.
My only what if is what if he left 4 years ago.
23 May 2017 07:26:46
Not taking anything away from Rooney's contribution to the club. He has been a legend (sort of) but his ability has been fast diminishing for a while - years even,
Also he has always been a nob head when it comes to looking after himself.
23 May 2017 12:42:31
Rooney has scored some of the best goals I have ever seen at Old Trafford, namely Newcastle in 2005 and City in 2011 plus that pass to van Persie against Villa, something that will live long in the memory. Where ever he goes next I wish him the best of luck.
23 May 2017 12:50:30
Welcome to the jungle Sparky😆😆.