Manchester Unitedai??i??s Corner: Wayne Rooney Faces His Demons As Merseyside Looms Large

By Nipun Malhotra
13 years Ago

For many, immaturity is an ideal, not a defect. Itai??i??s just how you are; some would call them flawed geniuses, but for others itai??i??s just a refusal to behave in a way deemed right by the society and its stringent norms. Man United and England star Wayne Rooney is perhaps the definition of nonconformist in a world where unorthodox icy is a taboo. Yet again, Wayne Rooney finds himself in the eye of the storm with the whole country seething in anger and journalist spitting venom in columns galore.

Rooneyai??i??s petulance came to the fore once again as he lashed out in the recent England qualifier, kicking his opponent in the process. It was rather dim-witted and naA?ve of him to do what he did, since Rooney left his side and more importantly his team mates down. Ergo, Wazza should expect a rather unfriendly reception every time he steps out on a football pitch outside the comforts of Old Trafford.

Everton fans will surely give Wazza a hard time!

To say Rooney is no stranger to controversy is an understatement. They share a special bond. Ever since his first dismissal in an England shirt back in World Cup 2006, the red mist has descended from time to time. However, lately it seemed Rooney was maturing after all. Last year, though, was especially turbulent for the scouse-born turned mancunian hero as revelations of Wazzaai??i??s private life made rounds in print media and Rooneyai??i??s stock was at its lowest ebb.

Nevertheless, the Rooneys patched up and all was fine again in Wayneai??i??s world, an odd elbow here and there not withstanding. But Wayne Rooney and controversy come with a life time warranty, and yet again Unitedai??i??s villain turned hero (see Rooney-gate) found a way to embrace trouble from nowhere. After a match-winning hat trick at Upton Park leading his side to a famous comeback, Rooney let out some rather unsavory expletives in front of the camera which were deemed unsuitable for viewing by innocent minds. Nothing they wouldnai??i??t have already heard a zillion times walking down the street but it meant that Rooneyai??i??s tryst with unwanted publicity continued.

Wazzaai??i??s latest act of irritability during national duty was perhaps not too out of the blue, since revelations of Rooney senior being involved in a match fixing scandal made headlines all day long. The demons inside Rooneyai??i??s head were itching to make their presence felt and as we all know Wayneai??i??s the last man to curb his instincts. Rooney should have thought better off it but he rarely does, thinking isnai??i??t perhaps his forte.

Merseyside Awaits Rooney As No quarters Will Be Given, None Should Be asked

After the turbulent last few days, Unitedai??i??s ‘White Pele’ has his task further cut out. The Premier league schedule has ironically lined up a meeting with old enemies Liverpool next and itai??i??s Merseyside where the hostilities resume. If that wasnai??i??t bad enough the next two fixtures sees United take on Man City at Old Trafford before Wazza returns to boyhood club Everton for some rather insalubrious ear-piercing abuse.

A look back at Rooneyai??i??s past performances in scouse-land illustrate how the United front man has time and again underperformed and has often allowed the occasion to get the better of him. Barring a couple of goals against Everton at Goodison in his early United days and a solitary strike at Anfield, Rooney hasnai??i??t put his best foot forward on these shores.

Rooney kisses the United badge at Goodison!

Wazza has in the past played to the atmosphere in these duals, which is indeed highly partisan and intimidating and understandably so. The hatred for Unitedai??i??s number ten is beyond belief and the stick he gets from fans in that part of the world could even put the most cold hearted of professionals into a state of insomnia. There would be songs wishing ill-health to his child and his old – not so clever – visits to brothel, filth would be flying in all directions and it wouldnai??i??t be for the faint hearted.

Now the old enemy would be armed with new ammunition, theyai??i??ll do all they can to unsettle, annoy and get Unitedai??i??s main man off his game. Itai??i??s a war out there, expecting mercy would be foolhardy. Rooney mustnai??i??t play at the galleries; the match will be won on the pitch. The secret perhaps lies in not trying too hard. Wazza shouldnai??i??t really play like a man on a mission, him against them et al. It’s Man United versus Liverpool at the end of the day and he is not alone in the battle.

There have been muted rumors already in United circles that after the latest England fiasco Sir Alex could seriously consider ai???restingai??? him for this heated battle. Rooney is like a simmering kettle of tea at the moment and exposing him to the brutality of a hostile Anfield crowd might just be a step too far. However, Fergie would perhaps trust Rooney to face this battle of his demons on and off the field with uncustomary maturity and itai??i??s about time Rooney answered the call of duty with mellowness and intelligence hitherto akin to him.

Last season, during the time tabloids came out with stories about Rooneyai??i??s infidelity and misdemeanors, United travelled to Goodison Park. Ferguson and the club decided that it would be best to leave the Englishman out of the travelling squad and away from the ire of the Everton faithful. Goodison is possibly the worst venue in terms of hatred for Rooney on the best of days and after his latest antics had made it to every Evertonianai??i??s front page, the abuse would have gone up a fair few notch. Ferguson swayed on the side of caution last time and it proved to be the right call.

Wayne was recently quoted saying he would like to be the club captain and would relish the opportunity to lead from the front. However, Rooneyai??i??s apparent inability to cope with the devil within that plague his mind and his fondness to frequent temper loss could hinder his claim to the arm band.

Sir Alex faces a dilemma yet again and not an easy one at that. To trust the man and let him deal with his evils or to shield him and guide him through the troubled waters. Sir Alex is not the one to judge people by their assertions; he would always judge them by their actions. This is the test of Wazzaai??i??s character and his credentials as a future United captain.

Ferguson and Rooney sharing a light moment!

“Madness they say is just like gravity; all it needs is a little push.” Rooney will face no dearth of provocation in the upcoming weeks. On the contrary, he will be amidst a storm of high octane cruelty directed towards him and, at times, his family; such is the nature of the modern football fan.

A human being is only interesting if he’s in contact with himself. Wazza must learn to trust his own self, be what he is, and do what he ought to do. But can United trust their leading man in the most important phase of the season? Can he be counted upon and can he deliver in face of adversity? The answer to all those questions will soon be known and it all begins this weekend with the trip down Merseyside where the enemy awaits sensing more than just blood.

Categories: COVER STORY, Editor's Pick, English Premier League, Manchester United
Tags: Manchester United Wayne Rooney

Merseyside Awaits Rooney As No quarters Will Be Given, None Should Be asked

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