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Ask not what has Rooney done for Fergie?

By David Price :  06/09/2010 :  Comments (89) :
The ?in the know? journalists at the time of Rooney?s transfer back in 2004 profoundly stated that Ferguson would be the perfect tutor for young Wayne?s education. In 6 years what have we seen different that has made the player such an improved talent?

From his last season at Everton in 2004, a protected player, that was rested, rotated and given free reign on the pitch to unleash his talent. The European Championships followed with Rooney having to date, his most successful campaign in an England shirt. At the time, no mention that this had anything to with Moyes?s stewardship of the young protégé.

In his private life, there were no run-ins with the police, no trouble when bike-riding the streets with his mates, only the infamous granny episode, which surely had been done just ?for a laugh?, weird sense of humour, granted.

Analysing to the present day, as a player he has been used as second fiddle to Ronaldo, played wide left, ?for the sake of the team?, run into the ground season after season with nothing left to give come an England tournament in the summer.

Last season he took up the challenge, with Tevez and Ronaldo sold to service a mounting debt. Again, playing every game possible, scoring a sack load of goals without the main trophy at the end of it, and totally shot come the summer.

Now he?s caught up into the ?I can do what I want, when I want? world of a true England player. So I ask, where is this great education that would turn the boy to a man under the astute management of Ferguson?

Maybe he hasn?t received the expected care and attention that would create the once promised world-beater. He traded that for trophies, which we couldn?t give him, but you feel something is missing, a certain happiness in his football that used to be there when he wore an Everton shirt.

Compare two instances, he gets substituted near the end of a game at Old Trafford to milk some applause for a good game, he walks off, token applause back to the Utd fans, gets thrown a drink and track suit top, couple of high fives as he sits down in one of the business class looking seats in the dug out still with a frown on his face.

At Goodison Park 7 years ago, Rooney has hit a last minute left volley against Aston Villa to win the game 2-1. Moyes subs him with 30 seconds left, cue the standing ovation as he leaves the field with a broad grin and the hugs of the waiting staff all squashed together in the tiny dug out.

For me, Ferguson has done nothing for Rooney and he is the player he is despite the manager rather than because of him.

Reader Comments (89)

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Nick Entwistle
1 Posted 06/09/2010 at 15:48:06
Other than Cantona and Ronaldo, every flair player that has gone to United that I can think of has had their individualism sapped out of them in favour of becoming a cog in the big United machine. Fortunately Kanchelskis got out while the going was good.

You can argue the merits of Ferguson's management dealing with this, he's got his trophies, but the world lost a great individual in Rooney at United and in return he became a better-than-most forward...
Tommy Coleman
2 Posted 06/09/2010 at 15:55:47
Well said, never the same player since he left us ? despite all the media hype that surrounds Man Utd.
Christian Yandell
3 Posted 06/09/2010 at 15:42:55
Let it go, David, he is a Manchester United player, why would we care how he is managed or who he is shagging?

I have to admit to being hurt like I did not think was possible by a football player, gutted, sick, angry etc etc. But it happened and frankly all this looking into why is one thing (not that I welcome that either).

But now he is a fully paid up Man Utd badge-kissing bastard, why oh why do we still have this obsession with poor old 'played out of position', in Ronaldos shadow ? blah, blah ? Rooney?

Maybe I am still a lot more sore than I thought but come, on let's talk about Rodwell and Co....
James Cadwaladr
4 Posted 06/09/2010 at 16:09:03
I couldn't give a shit about Rooney, or how Mancheser United have ruined him, he left us 8 years ago.
Dave Lynch
6 Posted 06/09/2010 at 16:24:31
The difference between then and now is we had the boy, they now have the man. We all grow up and our priorities change as well as our behaviour. All the smiles and hugs where from a young man who was living the dream and only a year out of childhood for all intents and purposes.

He's been there, seen it, and done it now, so the fire and enthusiasm is bound to dwindle. Just leave it alone for fucks sake, a pointless post about a pointless subject. He has changed as a human being and grown up, get over it.

Michael Kenrick
7 Posted 06/09/2010 at 16:35:57
Slightly tangential... but there was talk last weekend of a third England footballer getting an injunction against revelation of details about their private life in the gutter press.

Was that Rooney, and are we hearing this drivel because the injunction was overturned?

Or was Rooney unable to secure such an injunction? Possibly because he had previous?

The fascination of the UK media with prurient details of the private lives of celebs and politicos should not surprise me. My infinitesimal interest in this is purely the legal issue.
Charles King
8 Posted 06/09/2010 at 16:20:08
Definitely not lived up to his early promise as a footballer but is fulfilling his destiny as a brainless oaf well on the way to Gazzadom.

Fergie tutelage? Complete myth, Man Utd have been top of the tree since the Prem started, they're in the northwest, win stuff, pay top dollar if loyalty is way down on your priorities (see Coleen vs prostitutes) then off you go.

Looking at him now... I'm glad we took the money.
David Thomas
9 Posted 06/09/2010 at 16:58:05
"... but the world lost a great individual in Rooney at United and in return he became a better-than-most forward... "

Agree 100%. I remember sitting watching Rooney play for the Everton youth team thinking this kid is unstoppable and telling everyone that he was going to become the next Maradona or Pele, I honestly thought he looked that good.

I remember watching everyone's jaws drop when he got the ball and took on the other teams more or less by himself and won more or less every time. However, since he has gone to United, he has become one of the top 3 or 4 strikers in the league but in my opinion is not in the same league as the world's top players ie Ronaldo and Messi etc.

Ste Boyle
10 Posted 06/09/2010 at 17:08:23
Where are the examples of this great Fergie father figure. He's had a couple of good eggs in his team, Scholes and Giggs, more down to them being the shy type rather than Daddy Fergie.

Anybody with any personality, flair or mind of their own has fallen out with him or misbehaved and then been sold.

The Fergie/Utd way is a myth created by the Sky TV press. It's laughable to say that players are better under his guidance, he doesn't give a shit about them.

As for Rooney, I agree with the article, he plays with a permanent frown on his face and looks like it's a punishment to play football. As for the 'girl'... well, for £1,400 I'd expect a little better ... ;o)

Mark Murphy
11 Posted 06/09/2010 at 17:29:57
Michael,
I was tipped off that the Rooney story was about to explode by a guy I know who runs a football related website and he said there was another story about to go public once the legal hurdles were removed.
It was about someone called Gerrard Stephens I think he said...

Matthew Mackey
12 Posted 06/09/2010 at 17:26:04
Should be interesting at Goodison next weekend. Manure in town, Rooney under the spot light.
Ummmm !

Don't really care about Rooney anymore, .....just want the three points on Saturday and another Rodwell beauty.
Jay Harris
13 Posted 06/09/2010 at 17:47:38
Matthew ? spot on.

Rooney might be a great footballer for a period in time but he'll always be an arsehole.

Lets hope Jack steals the limelight against Man U.
John Daley
14 Posted 06/09/2010 at 17:44:00
You've got to feel a bit sorry for Wayne haven't you? Every other footballer in the world has women throwing themselves at them... and he still has to pay over the odds for it.
Michael Kenrick
15 Posted 06/09/2010 at 18:00:51
Thanks Mark. Seems the answer to my question is No in Rooney's case:

And the Daily Mail says he is not among the three England footballers who in the past month have exploited privacy laws to win injunctions banning the reporting of allegations about their private lives.

Although, the Daily Mail...
Robert Daniels
16 Posted 06/09/2010 at 17:52:19
I don't think Rooney's looked happy for about a year now, he isn't the player that he was at Goodison. Standing with his foot on the ball and his hands on his hips, he looked and was unbeatable in an Everton jersey.

He had his son wearing a red England shirt, and those Mancs never noticed it wasn't a Utd top. By all accounts, his son has the new Everton kit, and he turned up at the FA Cup Final.

I think he has lost his desire, and wants to return to his first love... and I don't mean the granny prossie either!

Much as I can't forgive him for leaving us, who really knows the reasons for that, I would love it if he played for us again, and i mean now not when he's 30-something.

Come home, Wayne... Before it's too late.
Michael Kenrick
17 Posted 06/09/2010 at 18:02:39
I'm more inclined to believe this:

The Daily Telegraph understands that Rooney considered applying for a super-injunction on the grounds of privacy. But the footballer was advised that such any such application would probably fail, because he has previously chosen to share intimate details of his life with the media.
Chris Hannon
18 Posted 06/09/2010 at 18:13:00
Once a blue, now a red in our hearts, you are dead! End of chat
Michael Kenrick
19 Posted 06/09/2010 at 18:17:17
Robert, I agree with you: whoever he's been shagging (why would I care?) he's still an Evertonian at heart. These threads always bring out the likes of Chris Hannon who obviously cannot accept this, and that level of denial continues to puzzle me. But I think there is a simple explanation:

If you believe Rooney tendered his transfer request and left us willingly for the top rewards, then you will hate him. That's what EFC wanted you to do after all.

If you suspect Rooney had become frustrated under Moyes and was effectively auctioned off between Newcastle and Man Utd for a fraction of Bill's £50 million when Everton needed a serious cash injection, perhaps you are going to be a little bit more forgiving of his predicament.

The apparent betrayal of a fan-player must be the hardest thing for fans to get their heads around... easier to go with the simplest knee-jerk. Unfortunately, Rooney was not the first and we can cite far too many examples: Gerrard, Carragher, McMannaman to name a few.
Robert Daniels
20 Posted 06/09/2010 at 18:36:57
It's true, Michael,

He was a kid, from a working class background. He would've been advised by older more experienced agents/family etc.

Kenwright and Moyes should never have let this happen. I fear for Rodders, I really do.
Jimmy Hacking
21 Posted 06/09/2010 at 18:37:52
Great player then, great player now. I dont give a shite about his private life, or that of any other footballer.

And to all those who are saying he has had his individuality stamped out of him, consider this: Can you name one other player in the world who plays the same way he does? Me neither.
Mike Elbey
22 Posted 06/09/2010 at 18:42:41
Many mistakes were made by Rooney when he left us and I don't accept the excuse that he was young. Even at that age, he could have said all the things he said in his recent Everton TV interview ? maybe if he had then we wouldn't all hate him now.

However, the point made in the article is excellent ? Rooney is certainly no better and probably not as good a player as when he left Everton.

I still believe that he thinks he has unfinished business at Everton and think it's possible that he may want to return one day. He is the type of person who will run his contract down at Man U and return on a free.

Personally, despite what went on, and I agree with Michael that there was a massive amount of spin put on it by BK, I would welcome him back here because, at the end of the day, he IS one of us. We all make mistakes, if he came back he would be a hero again the day he scored and kissed the badge!!!

Jamie Tulacz
23 Posted 06/09/2010 at 19:28:59
Robert (#19)- good point, though Rodwell strikes me as someone with his head a bit more screwed on than Rooney, so have a feeling he won't go the same way.
Tony I'Anson
24 Posted 06/09/2010 at 19:32:14
Mike (21) a loose use of the word "all".

Did he not kit his child's bedroom out in Everton branding?

Did his sale and cash generated not save us from relegation battles?

Did a fly on the wall camera in the Utd dressing room not hear him ask about the Everton score when he walked into the dressing room?

Does anyone recall the look on his face at Goodison last season? I don't think it was the realisation of defeat when we went 3-1 up. I think it was more regret that he wasn't running towards the Street End throwing his top off.

I can forgive him for the badge kissing thing done in the spare of the moment to a bunch of very effective "12th men" that are the Lower Bullens attendees. Rooney is not the cowardly type and knows the badge kissing would really hit where it hurt. How much grief does Ashley Cole get every game, but just doesn't have the bottle to wind the mob up?

His family are still passionate Evertonians and I still consider him one too.
Adam Bennett
26 Posted 06/09/2010 at 19:45:17
I believe Rooney leaving Everton, and what has happened to him since, is extremely relevant to the Everton of today.

It is an almost certainty that, come the end of the season, the Sky 4 obsessed press will start banging the 'Rodwell to Manchester United' drum. Trotting out the usual, and frankly wrong, opinions of ?oh, Sir Alex will be great for him??, ??oh Sir Alex will look after him??, ??oh Sir Alex this, Sir Alex that??.

Well, history has proven, or rather Rooney has proven, that Sir Alex is not as great as the press try to make out in terms of looking after, and protecting, young players.

This Rooney story, and those during the summer about his smoking and urinating in the street, prove that staying at Everton, and being looked after by David Moyes, is in Jack Rodwell?s best interest.

When the press do re-start the 'Rodwell to Man Utd' bandwagon, Sir Alex?s lack of control on Rooney should be highlighted as a reason why Rodwell needs to stay in a blue shirt for as long as possible.
Tony I'Anson
27 Posted 06/09/2010 at 19:43:43
And in the current Everton team, would he be the answer to our right sided attacking goal machine? Or the lone striker? Or playing off Saha/Beckford/Yak/Cahill?

Or is that a debate for another day?
Jon Cox
28 Posted 06/09/2010 at 19:04:45
Spot on, Mike,

Rooney is no different from all other young, raw off-the-street lads who get the chance to play top class football. The one thing they have in spades is the lack of fear.

Because of their youth they do not fear any footballer who is put against them in match.

We saw this, and in my mind the best goal he scored was the winner against the Arse. So, what happens? He carries on in the same vane and becomes a god. Then the financial politics of the club take over. Don't forget the meeja are also taking part...

So he ends up at Man U. Remember the goals he scored on that European debute. One minute he's having a row with the ref; next thing, he's scored a volley which guys like Pele, Eusabio, Charleton and all the rest of the footballing world loved, but inwardly felt SICK. Why? Because they had scored great goals in their heyday but not quite as the Vesuvius of that particular night.

Ok, Let's move on. The money's starting to bury this guy, he's a ? wait for it ? a millionaire. It's what every working class young guy dreams of... Didn't we all? Just think what it would be like if you won the lottery. "IT AIN'T GONNA CHANGE ME" Yeah, right, suckers. I'll bet if all the married guys on this website won the lottery say £12 mill they would be divorced within 18 months.

So now we've got this ex-Evertonian who's won the lottery, he's divorced his wife (Everton), and now he's basically in the shit.

So what do we do as Evertonians? In the majority, we slag him off.

What's that all about! A guy that age, in tune with technology, I'll bet he reads this website at least twice a week.

The kissing of the Utd badge when subbed was only like trying to piss off the perceived bully in the school yard when at Goodison.

For me, Wayne ? GET YOUR FUCKING ARSE BACK TO GOODISON WHERE YOU BELONG!!!

And if anyone doubts the term "Once a Blue, Always a Blue," then think again. He's our boy and he will return to Goodison Park

Rant over...
Tony I'Anson
29 Posted 06/09/2010 at 19:50:40
Yes, boo him till the cows come home, do anything to put him off his game. Be the 12th man in blue. He is fully expecting this to happen and probably will relish it.

Plus, I honestly believe that we would be well and truely up Shit Creek Alley without the money he brought the Club from his departure.
David Thomas
30 Posted 06/09/2010 at 19:50:06
"Rooney is still a blue". It drives me mad when people say this. He jumped ship out of Everton the first opportunity he got because he had started to think he was to big for the club fuelled no doubt by the constant shite parasites like Stretford kept on muttering into his ear each day...

For example, Matt Le Tissier was a very gifted footballer who could have moved on to a "so-called" better team than Southampton numerous times, played in europe and earned more money. He didn't because he loved Southampton Football Club.

Michael Kenrick
31 Posted 06/09/2010 at 20:06:12
Why does it drive you mad, Dave? Are you saying he's not a Blue? Or are you saying he doesn't love the club? Or are you saying because he did something you deplore, he cannot (by your definition) be a Blue ? no matter what else he may say or claim or do?

Peter Griffin
32 Posted 06/09/2010 at 19:51:50
Was he crying on the phone to BK to let him leave after Stretford sent a kopite to talk to his family about the millions he could earn at Utd? Or was he crying on the phone to BK saying I don't want to leave, but BK told him it would be in everyone's best interests if he went?

He will always be an Everton fan, and never feel as satisfied scoring for the Mancs as he would for his home town club that he loves. If he doesn't play for Everton again I won't be surprised if him and his son have season tickets when he's finished.
Brendan O'Doherty
33 Posted 06/09/2010 at 20:06:00
Well I certainly hope that no-one boos him this weekend.

His interview with ETV before the corresponding fixture last season, in which he attempted to re-build some bridges, led to a lack of abuse dished out to him at the game.

Consequently we saw a very subdued performance from him, which was a major contributing factor towards the result.

The lesson has been learnt - don't wind him up.

Let's hope for a repeat this Saturday.

Once a blue, always a blue.
Peter Laing
34 Posted 06/09/2010 at 19:51:35
When the red-top tabloids hit the shelves yesterday morning, I'm sure the likes of Rupert Murdoch rubbed his hands with glee as sales quadrupled following the revelations of Wayne Rooney's most recent indiscretions. The latest in a long-line of footballer's to be exposed for their apparent lack of morality. Morality that on the one hand is peddled and should be expected?... And on the other a scenario of mostly working class boys plying their trade for obscene amounts of wealth and material gain.

Rooney no longer plays for Everton ? period. He may have supported us once, his kid may be getting indoctrinated in all things Blue, but he now plays for Manchester United and ? given they are our next opponents ? let's do another number on them, like last season, that's all that matters.

Brian Waring
36 Posted 06/09/2010 at 20:16:46
I can just see him now, kicking himself, realising that he should have stayed, because he would have become a better player with us.

Three premier league medals; two league cup medals, FIFA World Club and Champions League medal, along with his two Young Player of the Year awards and his PFA Players' Player of the Year... was it 34 goals last season?

Makes you think what he could have won with us...... God, he's a dick for going.

Declan Brown
37 Posted 06/09/2010 at 20:32:54
I was at that game against Villa, one of our rare visits from Belfast.

I remember the goal, the crowd reaction - "Rooney's gonna get ya", all 35,000+ pointing at the Villa fans in glee, then as you say Moyes takes him off, how the roof stayed on is beyond me. What a memory. Makes the hairs on my neck stand up.

Nice article David and pretty spot on.
Oiver Molloy
38 Posted 06/09/2010 at 20:15:20
Mark..10
I'm now tipping you off and everyone else here on TW that before this season is finished we will have a minimum of 10 stories in the press related to footballers misbehaving.
I'll stick my neck out and say that girls will be involved in these stories!!
Robert Daniels
39 Posted 06/09/2010 at 20:39:09
Wayne,

If you do tune in to ToffeeWeb, or his dad or family members, tell him to come home.

One league title in Blue, will outshine anything you have won before.

Them twats down the M62 sing about scousers all the time, even when you're playing! Your boy's a scouser. Tell them your one too, and shock the world of football, you will be a great, a legend, but only in a blue shirt.

Come home, son.
Oiver Molloy
40 Posted 06/09/2010 at 20:42:07
Brendan..31

"Don't wind him up" !!..
You must be joking.Absolutely wind him up till he explodes would be my view.
James Newcombe
41 Posted 06/09/2010 at 20:38:10
Selling Rooney kept the wolves from the door, and also gave Moyes some funds to spread across the team - turning us from perennial relegation contenders to an upper table side. How unbelievably lucky we were to have him come through the ranks at Everton!

It's far too simple to solely blame the player (although there were rumours of spats with Moyes) - we have a long history of selling our best players. Do you think Dunc, Ball, Lineker, Speed and Jeffers really wanted to go?

David Thomas
42 Posted 06/09/2010 at 20:59:26
Michael,

In answer to you questions:-

Yes, I am saying he is not a Blue.
Yes, I am saying he does not love the club.
Yes, because he did something I deplore as well.

James,

Speed and Jeffers handed in transfer requests so i think that would suggest they wanted to go. Also, Lineker said it was his choice to leave but in hindsight he regretted his decision.
Jon Cox
43 Posted 06/09/2010 at 20:55:56
Oliver, Most if not all Evertonians on here will not want him to score against us. Last time he played, check out how many shots just went wide of the post. If he'd have been unlucky he would have have scored.

It says everything about a true blue. When you are chosen by the Blue whirlwind of Merseyside. It is so deep seated it never leaves and clubs like Man U, Chelsea, Barca or even Hamilton Academicles will never change you. If I have to explain this then you will not know what I mean...

COYB
Mike Elbey
44 Posted 06/09/2010 at 21:13:06
Tony, I think you must have mis-understood my posting.

I was suggesting that we all make mistakes and he made some in the way he left us. If he had done the everton tv interview when he left, relationships may have been preserved.

He didn't... but that doesnt mean he stopped loving Everton. I believe he will be back one day and I personally would welcome him back with open arms. As I said, he would be loved again the moment he scored his first goal and kissed the badge...
David Hallwood
45 Posted 06/09/2010 at 21:02:24
Sorry James Newcombe (#38), I think he wanted to go. Go back 25 years and we bought Gary Lineker from his boyhood team, the reason why he came to GP is because he wanted to move to a big club to further his career and win honours. Now when we sold Rooney we were in a bad place, and some would say that we're still not fully out of it, and, if we're to be brutally honest, we are not a big club á la Sky 4.

Therefore. Rooney looked around and what he saw in front of him was relegation battles, or he could move and play Champions League, compete for trophies etc ? no- brainer really, and it's a path many footballers before and since have taken; a move to a bigger, more successful club.

The blame lies solely at the door of the stewardship of the club, because, mid to late 80s, we were as big as Man U & Arsenal, and it has been downhill all the way since then and we have become a 'small' club because of scandalous mismanagement of our great club pre- and post- Kenwright.
Jon Cox
46 Posted 06/09/2010 at 21:19:26
Spot on Mike, I seem to remember a story called "The prodical son"
Brendan O'Doherty
47 Posted 06/09/2010 at 21:23:54
Oiver (#36)

"Don't wind him up" !!..
You must be joking.Absolutely wind him up till he explodes would be my view.

Have you not learnt the lesson ?

Winding him up only gives him an extra competitive edge.

Last year the crowd stayed off his back and the result was a subdued performance.

I know which I would prefer.
Jon Cox
48 Posted 06/09/2010 at 21:33:22
Brendan, give him a break. We all say things in the heat of the moment.

COYB
Michael Kenrick
49 Posted 06/09/2010 at 21:43:10
So David (#39), I'm curious if you've ever seen Part 3 of the video interview Wayne Rooney did on Everton TV.

He says "I love Everton, I grew up supporting Everton I still want Everton to win. Everton is still a big part of my life." Etc etc.

I'm puzzled. The lad says he still loves Everton. You say he doesn't. Who should I believe?
Peter Laing
50 Posted 06/09/2010 at 21:47:45
The only time in my opinion that Wayne Rooney should be given the column inches regarding Everton is if, or when he decides to return. The prodigal son may be a well coined biblical parable, however if Rooney really loves Everton then it would be a no-brainer for him to return to the 'spiritual home'.

Unfortunately, the Rooney of today seems to be a million miles from the said biblical parabel, he seems to be a young man down on luck, down on life, and down on form. He was never going to be a nice-guy Michael Owen; the fame, the money, the bling, the hookers, the insidious friendship with the likes of Rio have all contributed to the Wayne Rooney we see today.

We've had George Best, Gazza... and now will it be Rooney who falls from grace?

Ciarán McGlone
51 Posted 06/09/2010 at 22:00:11
What a daft article.

Rooney had his best season last season.

Mr Kenrick... It may delight you to know that there is another injunction... and I have it on good authority who it is; suffice to say, it is a player from.... er..... themums...
Jon Cox
52 Posted 06/09/2010 at 22:04:30
Peter (47) to quote an excellent line from the film the Exorcist. "In time." For you film buffs ? you'll know what I'm saying. Rooney is a million miles from Goodison but....

COYB
Mike Allison
53 Posted 06/09/2010 at 21:58:31
"One league title in Blue, will outshine anything you have won before.

Them twats down the M62 sing about scousers all the time, even when you're playing! Your boy's a scouser. Tell them your one too, and shock the world of football, you will be a great, a legend, but only in a blue shirt.

Come home, son."

Agree with every word of this. He's won his trophies, now set yourself a real challenge and do something that really means something. To be honest, anybody can win titles at Man United, some pretty average players have done so over the last 17 years. A true, lasting achievement would be to win trophies with Everton, and to be the guy that really makes the difference.

One league title in blue will outshine anything you've done before.
Jon Cox
54 Posted 06/09/2010 at 22:31:42
Mike (49) Concur
David Thomas
55 Posted 06/09/2010 at 21:51:18
Michael,

With all due respect, believe who ever you like.

Yes, I saw the interview you refer to and thought it was an excellent bit of PR by Rooney's team. I find it too much of a coincidence that this interview comes around when his team are trying to generate this family image of a more mature man who is trying to build bridges etc.

I wonder if he is such a blue, why he did not come out and tell everyone how much he loved Everton in the first few years after he left the club? Instead, in those years, he spent his time running over to the Everton fans at Old Trafford by himself jumping up in front of the Everton fans when United scored, celebrating by himself right in front of the Everton fans in the Gwladys Street when United scored and kissing his Man U badge in front of the Everton fans in the park end. To me, an Everton fan does not do those things.

To me, that interview struck of Rooney being told by his team say how much you really respect the club, how much you still support them etc and then the Everton fans will think, oh he really is one of us, he does not really deserve the stick he gets... maybe we should lay off him now.

In my opinion, just like this wholesome family image his team have tried to build up for him has turned out to be absolute bullshit as proven by the revelations that he has been begging a prostitute for sex whilst his wife is pregnant with their son the same can be said for his "I'm still a Blue" speech.
Kevin Hudson
56 Posted 06/09/2010 at 22:38:18
Bring the boy back home, folks?

Sure... Let's have a 34-year-old Rooney waddling around Goodison, legs gone, knees shot, 2 stone heavier, making tokenistic references about his boyhood club, and his belief that he can still "do a job."

It's complete folly, which would only provide us with an unsatisfactory final, abiding memory of him.

Guys, change the channel! It's retrograde, small-time, emotionally blinded romantiscism. Let it go...
Alan Kirwin
57 Posted 06/09/2010 at 22:56:49
David, excellent, astute & thought provoking article.
Robbie Muldoon
58 Posted 06/09/2010 at 23:01:27
The impression I get from Rooney's efforts when he plays against us is that he would love nothing more than to score against us. He would take pleasure scoring the winning goal in a cup final against us and it is that which turns me against him.
Thomas Williams
59 Posted 06/09/2010 at 23:18:50
Rooney, will in my opinion be back at Everton sooner than you think, 2 years max before he returns, please do not boo him on Saturday, we are better than that, leave that to the gobshites across the park.
Jon Cox
60 Posted 06/09/2010 at 23:27:58
Pure fantasy...

Someone says I'll give you 50 grand to go on and support another team and not support Everton. And so for the dosh your not going to support Everton.

OK so now you have fifty grand in your account but you still in your heart support Everton.

Case closed yoyur honour!

If everyone claps an supports Rooney this Saturday where do you think in his head Rooneys home is????
Jon Cox
61 Posted 06/09/2010 at 23:38:22
Robbie M,

And the proof of your post is what?
Robert Daniels
62 Posted 06/09/2010 at 23:40:23
I think if there was a banner on saturday that said, "Wayne come home, Once a Blue, Always a Blue" ? I think he would come.

Like Thomas Williams, I believe inside two years he will be here... just hope Rodders and the rest are too.
Michael Kenrick
63 Posted 06/09/2010 at 23:37:22
Well, David, at least the PR/marketing angle provides a superficially plausible rationale for doubting EVERYTHING the player says and rejecting the whole business out of hand.

The problem for me would be the lengths to which his 'team' have gone to convince Evertonians of these lies ? getting him to go to the FA Cup FInal, dressing his kid in an Everton kit, having him ask about Everton's result first, etc ? and surely the huge risk this represents to the far far bigger demographic of Manchester United fans that constitute a much much larger, more affluent, market than a few narky scousers with sad memories. See, that's the bit that makes no sense to me in your scenario.

What does make sense is the lad, despite playing now for Manchester United, grew up an Evertonian, has always been an Evertonian, has a family who are all still Evertonians, is bringing up his kid as an Evertonian (Why?) ? The only answer that makes sense is that this is entirely consistent with what everyone knows about his background and upbringing.

I agree, the disturbing behaviour on the field is difficult to rationalize. The conflicting loyalties must come to a head in that situation. One thing I've never understood about fan-players is how you so often hear their big ambition / greatest moment is to score AGAINST their old/boyhood team. I admit I don't understand that at all. I guess there's something in the professional footballer mentality that seems to make that okay.

I think there could be a number of other contributing factors too: being heavily jeered by Evertonians who he might feel have been dupped by the club's standard trashing of departing players (from Speed to Yobo); anger at the club's very successful snow-job in forcing him into a corner about demanding the transfer request; a sense of regret with the club at the whole shattering of his dream... Hard to know quite how he would explain it ? and of course his answer could not be trusted, could it???

Kissing the badge and celebrating Man Utd goals is the simplest direct response to the jeers... and Brendan's observation that a reduction in the jeering last season, as a result of the cunning PR/marketing job you believe took place, was responsible for a much poorer, lower key performance from Rooney, and an ultimate loss for Man Utd, would suggest your explanation and your associated belief that Rooney is lying through his teeth about being an Evertonian, is seriously flawed. But you can't change beliefs. They are immutable.

Robbie Muldoon
64 Posted 06/09/2010 at 23:56:52
# 58, what do you mean by 'proofe'? I take it you mean proof, so you are asking me what proof I have that Rooney would relish an important goal against us? You only have to watch him and his work rate everytime he plays against us. The abuse we have given him since he left has obviously got to him.

Let's compare Cahill's goal against Millwall http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhk2OaLLpNg to Rooney's attitude against us http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa2cxhki3QU
Robbie Muldoon
65 Posted 07/09/2010 at 00:14:54
Spot on Michael, it is the on field behaviour which is difficult for me to stomach.
Callum Wilson
66 Posted 07/09/2010 at 00:52:05
I don't want him back; everyone saying he was carted off and didn't have a chance... "Oh he was young... Oh it's all his agent's fault" is all bollocks. He may have been young but if he was a blue he wouldn't have stayed, he wouldn't have kissed the badge, he wouldn't have celebrated his goal.

No, he isn't one of the top 3 strikers in the world, as people have said on here; he isn't even the best striker in the Premier League! Messi and Ronaldo are so much better than him, it isn't even funny ? like Federer and Nadal being compared with Tim Henman.

He can fuck off as he already has once! As stated in post #61, Cahill didn't proclaim Millwall were his boyhood club, he merely appreciated what they did for him and his career, unlike one little bastard.

Tony I'Anson
67 Posted 07/09/2010 at 07:01:31
I think that whenever Man U want rid of him, he will also be too old to play for Everton.

I also I reckon when his playing days are over, he will be taking his seat in the stands on a regular basis with his family - at Goodison, not Old Trafford that is. Would anyone give him dogs abuse then?
Matt Traynor
68 Posted 07/09/2010 at 03:49:42
Rooney has that key ingredient that all of the football geniuses have. He's a Grade A Loon. A head the ball. On the pitch, the red mist comes down, it's him against the other team, the crowd, and the referee. Occasionally it gets the better of him, and he does stupid things. Occasionally he pulls out a goal, or an assist, or something that leaves even his own team-mates in his wake.

Off the pitch, he's just an average Joe who happens to be a Premier League footballer. More money than brain cells, no personality, uses and abuses alcohol and cigarettes with that "athlete's body" he has. And gets screwed over by hookers out for a quick buck (and an even quicker fuck if the tabloids are to be believed).
Vishal Poorundersingh
69 Posted 07/09/2010 at 07:42:12
Once a Blue Always a Blue. Career comes first. e.g. Cara, Gerrard, Owen, Fowler boyhood club was Everton. It's easy to say "If I was a player, I would play only for Everton" but in reality, when you are a good player, it's not easy to play for Everton when you will have other bigger teams coming to knock at your door. Just think for some mins and imagine a big company propose you a good job with a good salary and car and other benefits, I bet no-one will refuse.
Tony I'Anson
70 Posted 07/09/2010 at 07:46:41
Loon or Lion? If stranded in the jungle, I know whose side I'd be on.

But if the Lion doesn't perform to his strengths in the jungle, he's a dead Lion overtaken by a faster, younger, stronger model. It's the same on the footy pitch.

Out of the jungle and in normal life, I have no interest in Loons or Lions although they are increasing in numbers on the mean streets of Britain.
Les Green
71 Posted 07/09/2010 at 08:20:43
What Tony said (23)

Tom (56). While I like the idea of a world class Rooney coming back to GP while his legs still work, I think it more likely he will follow the Beckham route and cross into Europe. There are many European sides that will give him a big wedge and keep his profile high. We won't see him in blue again unless it's a testimonial or he's doing a Ginola impression.
Phil Bellis
72 Posted 07/09/2010 at 09:43:08
Michael, you're beginning to sound like a Rooney "apologist". I've no idea if Evertonians were "duped" by the club over his departure ? I doubt you know any more than the rest of us. The scenario is riddled with lies and counter-lies, as far as I can see.

I wouldn't trust Kenwright's version any more than I trust Stretford's; both have previous and have been less than lily-white since. I suspect the truth lies somewhere between Rooney wanting to get out of town/away from Moyes and whoever runs the club finances needing to pay-off the banks ? but I really don't know. For whatever reason or combination of egos and subplots, we lost the most talented Everton player since Bally ? a shame.

As for jeering geeing him up, I thought the crowd really got to him in the Goodison match where he was dragged off before his head burst.
Nick Entwistle
73 Posted 07/09/2010 at 09:59:22
Forgetting his history with Everton, is he the type of person Moyes would sign anyway, regardless of talent?

Then again Moyes did go after Bellamy... allegedly.
Oiver Molloy
74 Posted 07/09/2010 at 09:57:18
Brendan & Jon
Nah...wind him up on the pitch and off it!!

I wouldn't be surprised if he Ferguson doesn't play him.

So you two are saying "oh say nothing to the true blue because he might take offence and score!!!

He deserves the "wind up",how dare he cheat on his wife.

It's all about trust and he has destroyed that, but it's not his fault it's ah... Ferguson's.

Mike Gwyer
75 Posted 07/09/2010 at 11:14:34
Dave (no. 52).

I would be seriously surprised if Rooney had to beg for sex; however, it does amaze me that he had to pay. Now Crouch paying, that is totally understandable.

An additional comment is that Rooney only has 18 months remaining on his existing contract with Utd, apparently he has turned down their first offer. Now would it not be great to see him fuck off on a free. I am aware that he would probably not come home, but going to Real or Barcelona on a free would make me laugh and then seeing SAF's face would make me laugh even more.
Brian Waring
76 Posted 07/09/2010 at 11:13:23
It's funny how we become hypocrites without actually realising it. When we had the drugs incident involving Baxter, people who came on here saying he should be fucked-off if it were true, things like "He's just a young lad", "He's got in with the wrong crowd" etc were spouted.

Then we had Pienaar (He's become a bit of a serial offender) his latest one being the drink driving offence, we had "Doesn't everyone deserve a second chance?" '"He never killed anyone". The word 'Forgive' was used several times.

Now we have Rooney, who cheated on his wife, but it seems he should be hung, drawn and quartered. Don't figure.

Mike Rourke
77 Posted 07/09/2010 at 11:31:48
You always hurt the one you love.

Well, if you're Wayne Rooney you do.
David Price
78 Posted 07/09/2010 at 11:44:32
Amazed to see the chief sports writer at the Daily Star, saying Ferguson will now sort him out etc etc. 6 years and waiting... ain't gonna happen.
David Thomas
79 Posted 07/09/2010 at 12:21:24
Michael,

"anger at the club's very successful snow-job in forcing him into a corner about demanding the transfer request; a sense of regret with the club at the whole shattering of his dream... "

Please could you provide some more information on the abbove? I was not aware the club had forced him into a transfer request i thought he had done this of his own free will.

Mike 72, I agree that would be very funny indeed.
Ernie Baywood
80 Posted 07/09/2010 at 12:06:32
To those saying winding him up just gives that extra edge ? that's not been evidenced to date. I don't think he's put a decent performance in against us and usually ends up trying too hard. Maybe to teach us a lesson, or maybe because he wants to show us how good he is. Either way, I don't think he handles the Goodison games well and that's reason enough to give him some stick.

On whether he's an Evertonian... of course he is ? of some sort. But I can only say how I feel as a blue ? can't speak for anyone else. I don't know if he feels what I feel.
Phil Bellis
81 Posted 07/09/2010 at 13:07:10
David,
Perhaps Michael is paraphrasing a passage from Rooney's "biography" - no, probably not, more likely he's just giving his personal speculations; after all, that's all any of us have to offer on the matter.
David Thomas
82 Posted 07/09/2010 at 13:22:44
Phil,

I imagine you are right.
John Lloyd
83 Posted 07/09/2010 at 13:28:28
I think first off, football fans like ourselves need to seperate being a fan and a footballer!! Footballers are not fans, they call it work. It's completely different to the way we think & behave.

I just wanted to say that as a load of balls has been written about players like Matt Le tiss loving Southampton etc etc.....you could argue that Matt liked being the big fish in the small pond, proved by when he turned down Chelsea (obviously not as prestigious as now but still an improvment). Or you could know some facts such as Le Tiss has what can be described as an empire ofs businesses on the south coast & really enjoyed living there! I give him credit for that...

Rooney is a blue, he hurt us bad when he left, but tell me you didn't make bad decisions at that age and I'll say you're a liar!! Just that his impacted a lot of people, moreover, was it actually a bad move? All concerned parties (Rooney, Moyes, Bill etc) have admitted since that none of them handled the situation well and would've done things differently yet you cannot doubt that his transfer preceeded our rise from mid-table obscurity or worse to top 6 regulars and European qualifications.

When he first left, I booed him, couple of seasons ago I didn't; this time I may give him a slight clap!! Just dead quietly & discreetly incase any judys see me!! Haha!

As for who he's shagging... couldn't give a rat's arse.
John Lloyd
84 Posted 07/09/2010 at 13:36:51
As a second point, I agree with most of Fergusons image has been concocted by the press who fucking love him. Since the 'kids' he brought through (Beckham, Neville, Scholes etc) all United have done is what they accuse Chelsea & now City of doing ? they have cherrypicked the league's best players for obscene amounts and bought their success, which shows the hypocrisy of the old Taggert looking prick when he spouts off about Chelsea, Real etc just buying titles...

He is without a doubt is a good manager, but he's not the messiah, as Sky and that would have you believe. He's bought more flops than Benitez, FFS!
David Thomas
85 Posted 07/09/2010 at 14:03:28
John,

With regards to Matt le Tissier, i had the fortune to talk to Barry Horne at a sports function last year when he talked about a number of topics including his good friendship that he had with Le Tissier due to their time spent together at Southampton. He informed myself that Le Tissier had had numerous invitations from bigger clubs but he had turned them down because he was very loyal to Southampton football club and that was his club in his eyes.

I am not sure what having a business empire on the South Coast has got to do with moving to say Chelsea in London has got to do with anything. Robbie Fowler has got a property empire in the UK and he is currently living on the other side of the world in Australia.
Ray Said
86 Posted 07/09/2010 at 16:45:07
Like most of us, he supports Everton but works for someone else.
David Chait
87 Posted 07/09/2010 at 19:05:20
Great article and one topic I enjoy disucssing around the braai...

Basically I agree. Rooney has gone from being a prodigy kid - he had the vision like he was wearing Billys boots when he was 16, he could beat players, had pace and most importantly could do things I didn't see anyone else in the world doing that were close to his age.... Fast forward to now...

He still has great vision, but no better than Scholes, doesn't seem to beat players anymore much, his finishing is decent, but no better than a few of the top strikers... but most importantly he doesn't do anything that drops my jaw anymore.. nothing amazing comes from the lad. This I believe is because of Fergie. Team first lad, leave that stuff to Messi... England have lost a genius in the conformity of structure.
Jon Cox
88 Posted 07/09/2010 at 18:53:34
Hands up everyone who loves a good conspiracy? 9/11 etc. Well here's one.

Not the granny, but all those high class "women of the night" were bought and paid for by the British meeja.......

It's not wrong to say that most newspapers are, because of the internet, going into decline and sales are suffering catastrophically. Therefore they need to generate sensationalism. Makes you wonder.

PS, Robbie (61) sorry about the typo on the word proof. Along with the tax cock up letter about to fall on 1.4 mill people's welcome mat, I await my court summons for the outrageous inclusion of the letter "E"

Only joking, pa,l good on yer.

COYB
Brian Waring
89 Posted 07/09/2010 at 23:24:16
This is getting silly now: "His finishing is decent" ? FFS, he just bagged 34 goals last season, and I would put money on him banging a load more in this season. The lad is world class, no wonder we get labelled 'Bitter'...

I would be over the moon if we had anyone nearly half as good as he is.
James Flynn
90 Posted 08/09/2010 at 01:51:04
Matt (65) 2 perfect paragraphs on an elite professional athlete. Good stuff.

Brendan McLaughlin
91 Posted 08/09/2010 at 22:26:45
Have to share this one with you all.

My wife picked up a copy of a Catholic magazine and I couldn't help but notice the front page featuring none other than a certain Mr Rooney. But the real killer is that Rooney is quoted in the article as saying that if he hadn't been a footballer he would have been a PRIEST!

There's something extremely funny and at the same time deeply disturbing at the idea...

Max Main
92 Posted 09/09/2010 at 14:29:46
For once I actually agree with Michael Kenrick. I did enjoy that "Rooney apologist" quip though.

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