Was Marouane Fellaini Manchester United’s only big signing of the summer, what about Wayne Rooney ?
Whilst United’s transfer dealing have been less than memorable, the biggest signing of the summer for many United fans will be the retention of Wayne Rooney. For long periods it looked like Manchester United’s talismanic striker would be leaving the club with Chelsea, Arsenal, PSG and even Barcelona reportedly interested. Jose Mourinho went as far as to say that Rooney was his only transfer target, high praise from the self proclaimed “special one”.
Rooney showed in the Chelsea game that he was back to his old self, the determination and desire seems to have returned and if he ever questioned what the Old Trafford faithful thought of him, 70,000 United fans chanting his name was proof that he remains a much loved player at the club.
As the dust settles on what was a frantic deadline day, I believe many United fans will see that things aren’t as bad as many think. The squad is fundamentally very strong, don’t forget this is the same squad that romped home with the title last season. The only major area that needed strengthening was the centre of midfield and Moyes has been able to recruit a player he knows well and who has proven against top quality opposition to be a very capable player in that central role.
The retention of Wayne Rooney though is the coup of the summer for United, he remains one of the most gifted players in world football, a player that can score, provide and track back and help his defence. He is adaptable, hard working and a warrior on the pitch, a refocused Wayne Rooney will keep United competitive. Will he make the difference ? Who knows, but most United fans would rather face the season with him as a United player.