There was a moment just after the hour during the Manchester derby that demonstrated Wayne Rooney’s enduring value to Manchester United. With his team down to 10 men and under growing pressure, Rooney – playing ostensibly as a striker – effectively ran the length of the pitch to dispossess midfielder Yaya Toure in United’s area. The determination to make the challenge was typical of Rooney’s inherent work ethic and his willingness to cover seemingly every blade of grass at the Etihad for his team. Making his return from a three-game ban, the England skipper provided conclusive proof of why he remains such a key player for United, even though he is now in his 30th year and his best days are most likely behind him. While Chris Smalling self-destructed with two moments of madness in seven minutes that saw him sent off – and other United players failed to step up to the plate – Rooney gave his all for the struggling former champions. Playing deeper than usual and dropping back to exert more influence, Rooney pushed City star Toure close for the man-of-the-match award. When Rooney was suspended after his red card against West Ham in late September, there were those who claimed his enforced absence would actually benefit United. The perception was that Rooney slowed United down and that Louis van Gaal’s side played with more pace, purpose and penetration without their captain in the starting line-up. But with City swarming all over United following Smalling’s dismissal, Rooney ensured his side did not go down without a fight, as they rallied after going behind and came close to snatching a point. He may lack the explosive pace of his youth and has had to adapt his game accordingly, but Rooney still retains a formidable work-rate and desire that ensured United were not overwhelmed. Rooney rolled back the years in the 76th minute with a surging run from deep, which took him past four City players and into their area, only for him to take one touch too many, when a first-time shot was required. Early on, Rooney executed a perfectly-timed tackle on James Milner in the right-back position, then berated Antonio Valencia, who was deployed there, for not making the challenge himself. Rooney polarises opinion like few other players in football today, and there are those who still question the wisdom of handing him a new five-year contract worth upwards of £250,000 a week. But when he can produce performances like this, it is easy to see why Van Gaal retains such faith in Rooney and why he remains such a key figure for United
Posted on: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 09:52:51 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015