Over the last couple of years the Rooney "World Class" debate has reared its head a few times on this forum and on every occasion the majority on here have defended Wayne rigorously.
In light of recent events and his form over the last season or so what is the majority opinion now?
For me he doesn't tick that world class box. The player that burst on the scene and ran at people in euro 2004 certainly showed the potential to be the most explosive English talent since Gazza but for me he has rarely achieved what we hoped. I put that down to his own application - it's common knowledge he needs to be spot on fitness wise to play well otherwise he looks woefully off the pace. That in itself indicates to me he isn't naturally gifted and that he has to work hard to be on it. Secondly his game has gradually regressed from the world class player we all wanted him to be. In essence it's been trained out of him and his major assets now - scoring goals and long passing - are unrecognizable from the skills we were all excited by at the start - pace, taking people on, guile, energy.
Finally, another big indicator to me is my indifference towards him leaving. Some might say that's down to the way he has treated the club but that's not the case because I never wanted Ronaldo to go, even though he openly flirted with Madrid for years.
The reason I am indifferent to Wayne leaving is because I have become indifferent to the player he has become.
Is Rooney World Class Anymore?
posted on 14/6/13
What Red Cog said.
Play Rooney as the main striker and he'll be one of the best about. Great finisher and guaranteed goals
Play him anywhere where he has to make a simple 5 yard pass and he sticks out like a sore thumb.
posted on 14/6/13
Never was world class and probably never will be. The one season you could say he was world class was season ronaldo left.
posted on 14/6/13
Expect Macca to come out anytime and start kissing Rooneys backside
posted on 14/6/13
comment by Suso The Magician - (U11770)
posted 36 minutes ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZHvd0ks7Es
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Racist
posted on 14/6/13
Rooney is a fantastic footballer, but I would have never genuinely considered him world class and that has a lot to do with how Manchester United have dealt with him. I can bet you, if he was our number 10 from the very start, he'd have already surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton's goal scoring record. There would have been no question that he was a world-class striker or not.
Playing him around and almost effectively become a very expensive utility player has damaged his career some what. One minute he says the 9 is his best role, the next he can see myself in midfield one day, the next he claims he's number 10!
posted on 14/6/13
for UTD he has been world class, like has been said one season off form is allowed. hes done himself in with his attitude lately so i can understand why some will with emotion bash him. but he has been class for UTD.
posted on 14/6/13
This isn't a dig at United but........ does he need a fresh challenge?? He has been at OT for a fair few years now and some players do go a bit stale, it happens. A player of his proven quality doesn't just lose it. Maybe he needs to move on for himself and for United's sake (but not to us )
Just my opinion
posted on 14/6/13
It's easy to say this but for the last five years I have had regular conversations with fellow united fans about Wayne.
The bottom line is his ability was tamed and it didn't go down the route we all predicted. Watch him in euro 04 and he was direct, had skill to beat a man and had that bit of guile in small spaces to create something.
The player he is now has lost all of the above and has become proficient in different skills, such as long passing, finishing.
So yes, maybe a new challenge is required. But the big shame for me is he very quickly lost that ability he had at the start and was moulded in to something
else.
It's like twenty different players from 04 to now. But when you look at a messi or sonnie
posted on 14/6/13
Sorry, meant to say you look at messi and ronaldo back in 04 and compare them to now and yes they have developed as players but they are still recognizable in their style and main abilities.
Wayne isn't. Whether that's the club, his handling of his own body, or both I don't know.
posted on 14/6/13
I think from 2004-2008 Rooney was a world class player, he was playing brilliantly for United in the league, Champions League and for England.
But since then he doesn't impact games as much as he used to, now he get's the ball about 30-40 yards out, plays it to the right and runs into the box, he also does a bit of tippy tappy stuff in midfield but doesn't really dominate games anymore.