Manchester United ai??i?? Balancing Wayne Rooney and the Midfield

Wayne Rooney’s form and iconic status pose a problem for David Moyes: can Manchester United’s two-striker system be optimized to also allow for a strong midfield?

Wayne Rooney and Manchester United 's two-striker system — Can Manchester United’s two-striker system survive?

It seems erroneous and even blasphemous to even begin to suggest that, after over 200 odd goals and numerous moments of pure unadulterated genius, Wayne Rooney could possibly be harming United on the field. It seems wrong, just wrong. Especially now when it seems the storm has passed and the club and the player are on the same page, maybe just for this season. Rooney could and should go on to surpass Unitedai??i??s all time goal scoring record if the player decides to prolong his stay at the Theatre of Dreams. Against the backdrop of such iconic achievement, and with the support of statistics, Rooneyai??i??s case seems strong beyond any comprehension and his status in the United folklore not up for any debate.

Now, Rooney in a recent interview revealed his preference to play up top. The Englishman publicized his unhappiness at being deployed in deeper positions in midfield, which to be fair to the previous manager didnai??i??t happen too often. But the broken relationship between Fergie and Rooney is a different can of worms best left untouched for another occasion. However, in light of Rooneyai??i??s demands what needs to be discussed is the impact on the balance of the current United side.

That Unitedai??i??s midfield isnai??i??t their strongest point isnai??i??t up for debate anymore; it clearly lacks that oomph and seems easily permeable at times. Sides across Europe and domestically as well mostly tend to have three players playing in central midfield. 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 are the default settings for most sides these days. The million dollar question is can United with their ailing midfield continue to surrender numerical advantage to the opposition as well?

Robin van Persieai??i??s exploits last season dictates his presence on the team sheet when and if fit. Not many sides these days can afford the luxury of playing two out and out strikers; United with two wingers and two strikers have failed to strike a balance. Many believe Rooneyai??i??s demands to leave Old Trafford were born out of his absence in the starting eleven against Real Madrid. But Fergieai??i??s plan seemed to be working with Danny Welbeck playing deeper and harrying the opposition, negating the threat of Xavi Alonso and thereby cutting Madridai??i??s supply line. Though one could argue that Rooney can play a similar role, but then again, is he the best man to do it?

Rooneyai??i??s omnipresence also dictates that United cannot utilize Shinji Kagawa in his preferred role behind the front man. The former Dortmund manai??i??s time at United so far has been enigmatic to say the least. Rarely have United fans seen the best of the Japanese playmaker who many believe could yet solve a few problems for Moyesai??i?? side in the final third. United have briefly tried accommodating Kagawa on the left wing, but his effectiveness has greatly reduced as JA?rgen Klopp cries his heart out seeing his former pupilai??i??s career in a state of limbo. There is another school of thought who would argue that, if Kagawa is such a brilliant player, he should have adjusted his game, fine-tuned it and flourished. But for now it seems difficult for the trio of Kagawa, Rooney and RVP to play together in the same side and be at the top of their game. The ai???Holy Trinityai??i?? that many thought would lead United to glory hasnai??i??t materialized yet.

Furthermore, United fans wondered why the club failed to make an attempt to lure the world class talent of Mesut Ai??zil to Old Trafford. Ai??zilai??i??s talent is beyond doubt, but Unitedai??i??s current side composition dictates the German would have had to ply his trade on either wing, thus impacting his output and effectiveness. In the future as well, if United harbor hopes of acquiring talents who are by trade #10s, they must find tweak their style or perhaps do the unthinkable and drop one of the two leading men.

Rooney has begun the season well and has been one of the better players in the hitherto disappointing season. No one can argue his commitment to the cause or his effort: Rooney has passed all such tests with flying colors over and over again. But the balance for this United side seems to be missing, especially against tougher and seasoned opponents. The presence of an extra body in midfield could alter the equilibrium in the favor of the Red Devils, but Moyes must weigh up the pros and cons of such a move. Also, with Unitedai??i??s wingers not anywhere close to reaching their heights this season, there should be a possibility of playing a winger-less formation ai??i?? perhaps a diamond formation, which briefly sparkled last season.

Van Persie has struggled for goals lately and maybe the United manager could give him a break, but that would be a big call for the new boss and a short term fix. The dilemma would only intensify if and when both Rooney and RVP hit form; ideally United should flourish with their two front man banging goals in. However, against the likes of City, Chelsea, Arsenal and the European powerhouses, midfield battles would need to be won so that the platform could be laid for the skills of their two talismans to work their magic.

As things stand, the United manager could look to go one of the two possible ways in important games: take a call and drop either Rooney or RVP and instead play a three man midfield, or opt for a narrow formation that can accommodate his two match winners and still be solid enough in the middle of the park.

Tough decisions lie ahead for David Moyes, but it wasnai??i??t ever going to be easy. Manchester Unitedai??i??s search for the right balance and combinations shall continue until Moyes hits the jackpot.

Manchester United Must Find Balance Between Wayne Rooney And The Midfield

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