Football encompasses the cycle of life in its purest form; there are times when we are on the come-up, we stabilize and discover ourselves then we get to the peak of our abilities and finally experience a downward trajectory in senior years characterized by our low energy levels. Ageing is a process that we have no control over it and how graceful we age depends on our lifestyle during our junior years.
As of the many football players that we have seen go through this cycle, the best example is Ronaldinho who was once the World’s best, but sadly he did not have the longevity to play at the Top for a long period. Among the Exceptional players who managed to beat this cycle and ‘delay’ the process are:
Javier Zanetti
Ryan Giggs
Francesco Totti
Barry
Buffon
Raul Gonzalez
Paul Scholes.
Note that it is not only how long you play, but how efficiently you play between 33-40 years.
Then comes Rooney - The White Pelle.
Made his professional debut at the age of 16 at Everton Football Club and moved to Man Utd at 18 years of age. Throughout his career, WR10 epitomized the model English player…his passion, self drive and motivation that saw him become a Workhorse for our club. I always say that Rooney has been the best servant to this club and has always given 150% everytime he has been involved.
However, despite his talent, he is not exempted from the Cycle of life and at 30 years (turning 31 next month), Rooney is at the most difficult phase of his career. The main challenge to his acclimatization to this phase is the constant rotation by various managers, Rooney has played all the positions in the game apart from Goalkeeping and this has had an effect on his mastery of a single position. His best position has always been no. 10 but with the constant shifting, we have all seen that he has struggled to perform in this position.
Another factor to his slump in form is from burning out, given the number of years and matches he has played for club and country; and we all know how gruelling the EPL is. Therefore due to his recent form, there have been scathing attacks on the player from the opposition fans who have ruthlessly trolled him, our own ‘fans’ who wish he doesn’t get involved to an extent that some wish that he gets injured or is sold/written off and finally from the English Press who churn out articles at an explosive speed all targeting the man and his failures. There are a few fans who empathize with him and I am glad that the Manager has shown immense faith in him, as he has trusted Fellaini (the scapegoat for 2 seasons).
It seems many have forgotten how good Rooney was as a player and truthfully because we are only as good as our last performance. However, if we as the Manchester United fans become overcritical of our own instead of getting behind him and supporting him…then what is the difference between us and our rivals/haters? Wayne Rooney is at a point which the most important thing we can do as fans is to encourage and support him as fans as this would bring back his confidence. Being a sportsman, I understand that it is nearly impossible to perform while lacking confidence and I am happy that Mourinho is showing his trust to the player.
I believe that this may be Rooney’s last full - season with us and this will be evident after he breaks the club’s record of being the top scorer since this is the last milestone he has to achieve with the club. Currently at 246 goals, he only needs 3 goals to equalize Sir Bobby’s record and I hope that he achieves this glorious feat.
The Rooney saga clearly exposes our character and innate personalities. To put it in an ethical point of view, I would compare his critics to employers who are appreciative of you when you are highly productive and energetic, then due to age or an injury that slows down your performance or even a burnout, the boss sees you as nothing to his company and orders your immediate sacking while forgetting your input in the creation of his empire. It is a sign of unappreciative individuals who easily forget who you really are and the assistance you offered them. But such is the modern football, that is purely motivated by results.
My sentiments is that Rooney should not be dropped at this point as there will be no coming back from that. It will be a devastating blow to any trace of confidence left in him. Mourinho should wait until he achieves the milestone then give him a bit-part role; same role that Totti is playing at Roma. Not being fully involved for 90 minutes.
Having stood with Michael Owen and idolizing him since he came to our club despite the ‘fans’ not wanting him around, having stood with Fellaini when he was being used as a scapegoat for any loss, I stand with Wayne Rooney and will perservere even if it means us missing out on winning the league this season.
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