Sometimes a friend of mine (affectionately known as "da Geezer") complains about something, and I give man-birth to a weighty tome that he has no choice but to read in order to keep our friendship intact. October 20th was one of such days.
The topic was Rooney's potential United departure, which now seems to be off due to the inking of a five-year extension. Perhaps he is still unsettled, but trying to do United a solid from a business perspective, as any clubs that come for him now will have to pay the full fee rather than the give-us-your-fucking-player-for-next-to-nothing-or-he'll-sit-out-and-leave-when-his-contract-expires fee.
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Fact is, he was at Everton, including his academy time, for 8 years, where he once pulled up his shirt to reveal "Once a Blue, always a Blue". After a crap finish in his second season with the senior squad, he handed in a transfer request, so that's pretty much paints the picture of his loyalty. He was purchased from Everton at 18, which means he's been at United for 6 years, less than he was at Everton. Never forget that Rooney was a star before he got to United.
I agree that a lot of players get pressure heaped onto them at club and international level, my point was that Rooney probably isn't the kind of guy who can deal with that.
If you're asking what he has to prove, I'd say lots. Sure, he's won the Premier League, the Champions League and the Carling Cup, but he's never won anything Internationally, and he's never ventured outside of England. Few Englishmen do, and those who dare, typically fail. Rooney might be thinking about his legacy, example, Zidane. He played for three different clubs and won everywhere he went, plus at the international level. Rooney's 24, and the only thing left to win in England is an FA Cup. Will he be considered a Football great if he doesn't prove that he can win outside of Man United? Think about Thierry Henry. Rooney's never going to have an undefeated season in the EPL, and he's realistically only got one more shot to win a World Cup. Henry won it all in Spain, did the impossible in England, plus added a World and a Euro, no sweat. Oh, he also won the league in France. Will Rooney be able to match that? Will he be able to play in England until he's 29, then go elsewhere and contribute?
That being said, Rooney is not Zidane or Henry, and can't ever aspire to be. I mean, Zidane is still the star of Adidas ads, and he retired 4 years ago after headbutting someone in the chest in a World Cup final. I personally am on your side, thinking Rooney should stay put. He should aspire to be all that he can be, a United legend. It's a great thing to leave your name in the hearts of supporters forever. They won't be saying Pélé, Maradona, Zidane, Rooney. He might be under the impression that it's possible, but it isn't. Best, Cantona, Giggs, Scholes, Keane, Beckham, Rooney? Yeah, more likely.
I think he will bench at Réal, just like Michael Owen did. If he can go to Inter Milan, Juventus or Bayern Munich, things may work out for him, but I don't see any of them wanting a player like Rooney, especially since his estimated price tag only makes him available to clubs like Réal, Barça, Man City and Chelsea. Inter or AC Milan maybe, but I'd say that's it. Besides, AC Milan just spent a truckload on attackers (Ibra + Robinho). As did Madrid, who have already said they have no interest in the kid. Barça bought Villa at the break and are in so much financial trouble that the purchase of Rooney is completely out of the question, especially since they're still hot for Fabregas. To me, Inter and Man City are the only possible destinations.
Back to Rooney's perspective though, I don't think he wants to spend the next 3 years of his life (25-26-27), which will probably be the best years of his career, waiting for the kids to develop. I think he wants to go somewhere and win something he's never won before. No matter how you slice it, Macheda is not ready. Obertan is not ready. Hernandez is not ready. Next year? Possibly, but more veterans will be gone. Also, are you asking for patience from Wayne Rooney of all people?
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