Remember that Manchester United fanzine poll in September which showed 99% of respondents wanting Wayne Rooney dropped from the starting XI? Well, they got their wish, as he did go to the bench for awhile. However, the criticism Rooney receives is perhaps unlike any football player all across the world.
The United and England Captain has sometimes been analogized to the Queen, being called a “meaningless figurehead” in opinion columns. There have been many funny swings taking at Rooney, but that specific slam is definitely among the most creative and clever.
Despite all the lack of faith in Rooney’s game, England Manager Gareth Southgate insists that the forward is actually not finished. Earlier this season, United Manager Jose Mourninho, had said that the 31-year-old’s best football is still in on front of him, not behind him.
Kind of along those lines, Southgate said he can’t understand why people would be talking about a Rooney send-off.
“I didn’t quite understand why we were talking about tributes when he has still got every chance of being in this team,” the Three Lions Manager said this international break.
“I’m conscious that we’ll be talking about Wayne again and I’m hoping to be talking about the players who are here, but there’s no reason why he is finished with us.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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