This is the end… my only friend, the end.
Jim Morrison knew it and just about every football fan knew it.
Wayne Rooney may not be finished as a professional footballer – slumps are part of the game – but he will not be getting back into Manchester United’s starting XI any time soon.
The United captain dropped to the bench for the visit of champions Leicester City to Old Trafford. José Mourinho made four changes from the side that lost to Watford last weekend and Rooney was the biggest name cut.
United and Leicester shadow-boxed for the opening 20 minutes before the hosts took the lead through Chris Smalling.
https://twitter.com/SkyFootball/status/779651795635216384
The Rooney jokes had already long begun, but the opener – and Juan Mata’s second – sent them into overdrive.
Rooney, Smalling took your armband and scored, Mata in your position scored, Blind taking corners assisted 3 goals! Even Pogba has woke up!
— Barry Bahar (@angelvinder) September 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/Rumandaa/status/779657966018437120
Soon enough, United were 4-0 to the good after goals from Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba. Mourinho’s side were playing with pace, verve and impishness.
Naturally, all the half-time talk was about Rooney.
Rooney after 1 month from now… pic.twitter.com/xYzz3H8mDo
— Rohan Singh (@HotCurryHero) September 24, 2016
Serious note re Rooney: It's tough for players in 30's. Diminishing power & speed. Greater fatigue & recovery time. It's hard, bloody hard!
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 24, 2016
Good point though…
Tell that to Zlatan.
— Brooks Peck (@BrooksDT) September 24, 2016
The old Whitney Houston reference
RIP Wayne. U is with the angles now x
— Macca (@The_Paris_Angel) September 24, 2016
The "Rooney has to play" brigade right now… #MUNLEI pic.twitter.com/MB8DrVBJsQ
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) September 24, 2016
The second half saw United ease off the throttle and City get a spectacular consolation back through Demarai Gray.
Rooney came on to a warm reception with seven minutes to go. He had some decent involvements after a shaky first touch.
Rooney's first touch bounces off him and straight to the keeper. We're back in business.
— Hasan Aziz (@valimoblack) September 24, 2016
Can’t please everyone.
Catch up on the first episode of Football Friday Live…
