Deepshikha Chatterjee
That’s the question that has been doing the rounds on and off for quite some time around the football world but Rooney has always managed to silence his critics in the past. And that is hardly unbelievable for a player who happens to be England’s all-time record goal-scorer with 53 goals and an incredible tally of 246 goals for Manchester United.
However, recently his position for both club and country has been threatened with a host of new young and budding talents ready to challenge the veteran skipper for their place in the starting XI.
Speaking about the national team, both Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane have had excellent recent form in the League and even managed to impress in the England shirt. In this scenario, accommodating Rooney at the tip of a midfield diamond, with Vardy and Kane up front has not really yielded triumphant results and thus the England team must look for other alternatives. We also must not forget that Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge are also fighting for their place in the team and, in this context, Rooney seems to be the likely casualty.
Even in Manchester United, With Zlatan Ibrahimovic having been brought into the fold to lead the attack and ably supported by Juan Mata, it is quite unforgiving that Anthony Martial is being played out wide to accommodate Rooney.
On the pitch, Rooney has definitely become slower and cannot give 90 minutes of his best in every game. The forward needs to adapt as he slows down but it is quite clear that having been deployed in various positions in different roles throughout the last few years, Rooney has failed to carve a niche for himself. He also seems to have lost his hunger and aggression though continuing to gift us fleeting moments of brilliance on the field.
The player that most seems to be most suited to take up Rooney’s mantle for both club and country is Marcus Rashford, who at 18 was the EPL’s breakthrough star last season and with his injury-time winner against Hull, he has done justice to the hype surrounding him.
But the question remains if the wonder kid is good enough to fill the (very large) boots of his captain.
Wayne Rooney’s scoring rate definitely improved during the 2015-16 season than the previous one but Rashford has burst onto the scene with 6 goals in 12 appearances for United and, even if not at the national level, his persisting brilliance certainly does threaten Rooney’s longevity at the club. However, Jose Mourinho seems to think that Rashford can also make a difference in the national team.
“I think if he went with the full England squad, Sam would put him on the bench. Can he help the first team to win matches like he’s helping Manchester United? I think he can.”
Rashford has already staked a claim with his stunning debut hat-trick for England Under 21s and probably sent out a message to manager Sam Allardyce about why he deserves to be in the starting XI.
The youngster’s pace will greatly improve United’s attacking prowess and complement Ibrahimovic’s striking power upfront. Ibra has already shown respect for Rashford by applauding the teenager’s pace during his rapid triumph against Galatasaray’s Fernando Muslera. Rashford’s attitude, work ethic, and clinical finishing talent make him a prized possession. Also while Rooney has definitely crossed his peak, Rashford’s subtle and technical playing keeps hopes alive for rapid improvement. Not flummoxed with receiving and keeping possession even in tight areas, he seems to have an upper hand over Rooney who in recent times have managed to squander quite a bit of possession. If we remember Rashford’s assist of Marouane Fellaini’s goal in the FA Cup final, we will be encouraged by the variety and range of play that Rashford potentially promises. His intricate all-round play is what sets him apart from Vardy and Sturridge and makes him so impactful on the pitch that reminds us of Rooney at his best. Another great advantage is Rashford’s calm temperament that seems to be such an improvement over Wayne Rooney who has had to pay dearly a few times for his hot-headedness.
Irrespective of how he fares in the long run, Rashford definitely has made his case to carve a place for himself in the starting 11? But what to do with Wayne Rooney?
Though one must remember Nani’s saying that “Winning games is more important than Wayne Rooney”, yet one must never forget that where Rooney is most significant is not on the pitch but in the dressing-room. Rooney can be a huge asset to the younger players in the dressing room.
Thus, though it is apparent that Rooney has lost his speed, his touch and his explosiveness gradually, and recently his creativity, passing and finishing, he still has something to offer to any team he plays for. And though Rashford definitely seems the best choice to take up Rooney’s mantle with his raw talent and enthusiasm, yet Rooney’s future may get an added impetus and he may well flourish in his twilight years if he can adapt to his role in central midfield where his experience and playmaking skills can yet contribute to solving a lot of problems. His versatility in playing numerous positions with equal ease is quite well known. Marcus Rashford may be ready to step into Wayne’s Rooney’s place for both the club and national team still deserve to flaunt the No. 10 jersey and the No. 10 need not be bereft of Rooney just yet.
Wayne Mark Rooney has given a great deal to the game of football, but he has not given everything, not yet.
