Author: Bricki
Follow Bricki on Twitter – @Bricki
Let me make it quite clear, I don’t like Wayne Rooney. As a footballer when he’s on form he is sublime but as a person I do not have the time of day for him.
It didn’t always use to be this way though; the kid who arrived from Everton and made such an impact was a sensation. He was a terrace favourite and had the fans eating out of his hands at times.
Fast forward 10 years however and the story today is a much different one. 2 attempts to leave the club and general belief from the fans that his heart is not in it has led to a difficult situation for the fans.
How should you treat Rooney now as a Manchester United player?
It comes down to a personal choice of course but to me the attitude and behaviour of Rooney has disrespected the fans but more importantly it has belittled United as a club. Sir Alex and many football commentators have always insisted that no player is bigger than the club. This should apply to all players at all clubs but at Manchester United this is something that nearly all fans will agree with.
Players like Ince, Beckham and Keane have all been moved on when essentially they have had ideas above their station whilst at the club. The team has been reshaped and the players have not been missed like they may have thought they would.
It would appear that Rooney has gotten the idea over time that he was indispensable at United and attempted to use it to his advantage. You cannot blame a person for wanting to earn what he feels he deserves but the way Rooney has gone about this is the major issue for many.
The public declaration that the players at the club were not up to standard and he intended on leaving was an insult to the club and his team mates. To then openly flirt with our most local rivals twisting his fingers in the wound that the transfer request had opened up. The subsequent new deal completed in record time and earning Rooney a mammoth wage did not go down well.
From this moment on I have chosen not to cheer Rooney’s name. I still celebrate if he scores a United goal but I will not sing his name. Many fans were able to forgive Rooney over time for this ‘one-off’ error in judgement but then came this summer. The very public fallout with an out-going Ferguson (who it could be argued was point scoring with his transfer request comment) led to Rooney doing everything bar publically confirming he wanted to join Chelsea.
United have stuck to their guns and refused to let Rooney manufacture a move away. It is clear though that the end result of this will be Rooney getting a new deal or getting his move (probably cheaper than this summer). So in the long run United look to be losing out in the battle.
Where does this leave United fans though? Can we sing and cheer the name of a man who has twice held the club to ransom and behaved in what we perceive is an insulting way to the club?
Against Leverkusen we saw a return to the Rooney of old. He was bustling, positive and with two goals he led the side to victory. After both of his goals and when he left the pitch he received huge applause and some fans chanted his name.
I’m not sure he deserved that sort of adulation from fans he has deemed as not important to him. I cheered with everyone as the ball hit the net on both his goals but I will be loath to sing that mans name again.
I have always operated under the idea that whatever 11 players are on the pitch (good or bad) I will support and cheer them all the way. With Rooney I will applaud and cheer the team but he does not deserve individual praise. He lost the right to that the moment he decided he could dictate to the club.
Am I right? Some will say yes and I’m sure some will say no but how should the fans approach Rooney going forward as it looks clear he will be vital to Moyes team?
Follow Bricki on Twitter – @Bricki