Wayne Rooney will be the greatest player to ever play for our club. 120 England caps scoring 53 goals. 5 times Premiership winner. Champions League winner. 559 appearances for Man U scoring 253 goals. At 34 he no doubt still knows where the net is, 23 goals and also 15 assists in 48 regular season appearance for DC United.
How does Cocu get the best out of him and the maximum influence on the team? We currently have three main strikers in Marriott, Martin and Waghorn. We have or will have three capable defensive midfielders in Huddlestone, Bielik and Bird. We have energy in midfield with Knight and Holmes with Sibley not far behind, and Shinnie at some point. We have Lawrence <tumbleweedsmiley>
Given his incredible scoring record over his career we want Rooney at the attacking end of the pitch. Does he play as one of a striking pair, as a number ten behind one main striker or as an attacking midfielder behind two main strikers?
Tomorrow, if no after-effects from Monday:
Hamer
Wisdom Davies Clarke Lowe
Bird
Holmes Rooney Knight
Waghorn Marriott
Long-term: similar but with Bielik in place of Bird? Or is that a midfield that might get overrun against better teams? How about 4-2-3-1 with Bielik playing alongside one of Huddlestone, Shinnie or Bird, then Rooney plus two of Holmes, Knight, Lawrence or New Player and Cocu’s striker of choice? Assuming Rooney won’t be able to play all of every game is Lawrence his back-up?
Hamer
Wisdom/Bogle New CB/Davies Clarke Lowe
Bielik Huddz/Bird/Shinnie
Holmes/New ROONEY/Lawrence Knight/Sibley
Marriott/Waghorn/Martin
?
What to do with Rooney?
posted on 1/1/20
Here's my team to face Barnsley
Hamer
Wisdom Davies Clarke Lowe
Bird
Holmes Knight
Rooney
Waghorn Marriott
Away from home I'd like us to consider something like this:
Hamer
Wisdom new defender Clarke Lowe
Knight Bielik Bird
Holmes Rooney
Waghorn
or
Marriott
posted on 1/1/20
Would you give Shinnie a place when he returns Desi?
posted on 1/1/20
Cocu will be careful with the young players, he knows that often they struggle to be consistent and still put in an OK performance when they aren’t at their best. If and when Shinnie and Huddlestone return there are plenty of options and when needed players can have a breather from the first team. Holmes and Knight especially put so much effort into their games that it’s tough to maintain that level every single game.
posted on 1/1/20
Really looking forward to tomorrow. An early match thread may even be in order?
posted on 1/1/20
comment by HebridesRam (U2909)
posted 21 minutes ago
Would you give Shinnie a place when he returns Desi?
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I think he'd have to be eased back in Hebs after his spell out injured. He probably won't be considered as a starter until mid - late Feb.
posted on 1/1/20
Wait, I forgot Rooney playing?...
ooohhh should be interesting. I rate the Championship way more than MLS. I think he’s gonna find it tough...
Unless, players stand off him, which they shouldn’t do. Don’t show respect, and he should be fooked.
But I’ll be pleasantly surprised if he can handle it...
posted on 1/1/20
comment by Desicafu (U8481)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by HebridesRam (U2909)
posted 21 minutes ago
Would you give Shinnie a place when he returns Desi?
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I think he'd have to be eased back in Hebs after his spell out injured. He probably won't be considered as a starter until mid - late Feb.
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posted on 1/1/20
I think Rooney should start in the 10 role and if he gets tired he can be replaced. I agree with most of the above teams, 4-diamond-2 is the way to go.
Vidal you say Wayne Rooney will be the greatest player to ever play for our club. He will have to do well to be better than Bloomer, Carter, Doherty, Gallagher, Hector, Todd, McFarland, George, Lee, the lovely Will etc. ( I am not including our current number 10 or the previous one.)
Happy New Year to you all.XXX
posted on 1/1/20
I forgot Dave MacKay, he won a few things.
posted on 1/1/20
VC, I expected something like that. I don’t mean he will necessarily play the best football we have seen by one of our players but surely we have never had a player who could be said to be better over his career.