Ronaldo was a winger.

Put Rooney as a Winger.. and Ronaldo as a STRICKER.. and we revise the stats!

Am sure rooney wud score ZERO goals.
So Ronaldo is by miles.. the much better player in every way.

saying that………i think he is more effective than ronaldo but only by a small margin.

rooney is a striker and scoring goals is what he’s supposed to do where as ronaldo scores goals because he’s just so good at it.

P.S-Ithink man u will thrash chealsea at old trafford.

I would also like to apologise for my poll title. I was somewhat confused when I read the ‘comparison’ comments made on my post. I don’t think that compared them once, I was merely discussing their value to the club when they play. After reading my poll title, that wasn’t clear and it looked like I was comparing both players, like for like. It was more of a ‘if you were picking the Ballon D’or, who would you pick’ OR who is/was more valuable to the United cause.

Having said that, I don’t believe we should be so rigid when comparing player. Both players can operate through the middle, both can operate out wide and both have their stregths and weaknesses. For example would you compare Gabriel Batistuta and Alan Shearer, even though both their styles were completely different? But they were both forwards? What about Maicon and Roberto Carlos, both are full backs but played on different sides?

Andy Roxburgh of UEFA have said a number of times that the most dangerous attackers are those who start out wide and cut inside. Rooney and Ronaldo are both versatile players who can operate across the forward line.

The point of the blog was to highlight the impressive goals return from Wayne Rooney in comparison to that of Cristiano’s goal tally from the previous season. In terms of ability, that wasn’t up for comparison – more their value. Ronaldo is better in the air, is better at dribbling and has a more ruthless streak. Wayne Rooney make more intelligent runs, has better vision and works his bollocks off for the team.

K_STAND_MEMBER – thanks your comments and also the correction on 41 goals to 42. I must have been in such a rush this morning – but that is now updated. I acknowledge that Rooney’s assist are minimal compared to that of Giggs or Nani for example – but we both know that a forward that never sits still opens space up for a player to make a decisive pass for another to latch on to. I agree regarding Fletcher’s cross, different class – although James should have come for it. Valencia has been brilliant this season – top notch – I guess their isn’t enough time for me to run through everything that I’m happy with! Hope to have you comment more often, good post.

Rooney has been unbelievable this season, not just goals, but his all round game. He is developing in to the spearhead of the team from being the “mere” heartbeat of it previously. One of the top 2 or 3 in the League? He’s streets ahead of anyone. I would say Ronaldo is the best in the world but I would also say there is a case to be argued that after Ronaldo and Messi you could put Rooney as third.

I know Kaka and Xavi certainly have cases too and Rooney’s consistency would really need to pan out more over a 2 year period to really flesh out my opinion but I believe that it will.

Ronaldo was never just a wide player in the last 2 seasons which was why Rooney was put wide so many times. But, considering he hit 20 from wide last season without pens or freekicks, doesn’t that really answer your own point?!