The truth is out there.
Wayne Rooney is transitioning into his new life at Old Trafford. It’s not easy but you would never expect it to be for a born winner like Rooney.
For the past 13 seasons, Rooney has been at the top of his game or pretty damn close to it.
However, it has been apparent for the past couple of years that his powers are fading. Every excuse in the book was used to detract from his lack of a goalscoring, match-winning return – managerial changes, not being played up front, being too selfless, carrying injuries, not being allowed shoot on sight [Louis van Gaal diktat] and so much more.
Rooney has two 34-goal seasons in his United career but the last of those was in 2011/12. He averages around 20 a season but registered just 14 and 15 in his two most recent seasons. He has found the net twice in 15 games in the current campaign.
Jose Mourinho was asked, following Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal, if Rooney had been left out of the starting XI due to his heavy night out while on England duty. Mourinho denied it and finally got to the nub of why the 31-year-old is surplus to immediate requirements. He told reporters:
“I thought we were going to have the ball. Arsenal are a team who let the opponents play. I thought we would have space and the ball would arrive quite easily to the attacking players.
“I believed ones like Mata, Martial and Rashford were faster than Wayne, better attacking opponents one to one in the last line. I thought it was the best option.”
It is good to finally hear a footballing reason for why Rooney is no longer a guaranteed starter despite being club captain.
Who’s going to break it to Philip Neville?
