Rooney: Assessing Where It’s Gone Wrong As He Prepares For Showdown Talks On Tuesday

With the future of Wayne Rooney filling the newspapers in recent weeks, writer Rayyan Dabbous looks at what’s gone wrong for him at Old Trafford and responds to reports claiming the striker will hold crunch talks with David Moyes on Tuesday.

The transfer window is officially open. Last month, possible transfers were discussed and some were rubber stamped. Many important moves have been already completed but a lot of big names are still featuring in the transfer gossip colums. Today, clubs were given the green lights to shop. Some clubs scout for bargains while others spend big, but between all the rumors and gossips, one name keeps cropping up: Wayne Rooney.

There has been a lot of speculation surrounding Rooney’s future. Some suggest the forward may leave Old Trafford while others ignore such claims. Some sections of United fans are adamant the striker will make the right decision and remain. Whereas, others can’t wait to see the forward go. Many of us assume Rooney’s uncertain future may have been conditioned by the media or by absurd rumors. However, clearly there is a problem.

Let’s forget the hitch between Rooney and some of United’s fans that saw him being booed during Manchester’s celebratory open-top bus party. Obviously, the problem lies between Wayne Rooney and the club.

So we ask ourselves: what could have gone wrong? The problem is clear to those who’ve been watching Rooney closely in recent years. Not long ago, Rooney was a regular goal-scorer and his name was always on the score sheet.  Wayne Rooney was the player Manchester used to count on to score goals.

Now, his position is not even known. Lately, he’s been playing behind the striker, as a winger and even in midfield. Two years ago, Wayne Rooney scored 34 goals in 44 games. Last year, he scored 16 in 36. Last season, he was benched during key games, whereas during the past years: he was irreplaceable.

The main reason for this is the fact Manchester United signed Robin Van Persie last summer. The Dutchman completely overshadowed Rooney last season and there’s no doubt his nose has been put out of place. When asked about being a midfielder, Rooney was quoted as saying by ESPN last season:

“No. In the years to come that might be somewhere I could play, but right now, I’m definitely a center-forward. I’m after more goals.”

Wayne Rooney doesn’t want to be a playmaker or midfielder: he’s hungry for goals. But with RVP at the club, he’s always going to play second-fiddle to the great Dutch international.

In face of his uncertain future, many clubs have been linked with the forward. According to Daily Mail, Arsenal, Chelsea and PSG all want Rooney and new boss David Moyes is to hold showdown talks with the 27-year-old and his representatives on Tuesday to resolve his future.

Tomorrow, Moyes and Rooney will discuss whether the forward’s nine-year stay at the club is over. Should Wayne Rooney stay at Old Trafford, he is likely to demand a fixed forward position. If he’s to leave, he will try to retrieve his taste for goals and become “A Goal Machine” for one of Manchester United’s rivals with Arsenal and Chelsea ready to pounce.

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Do you think Rooney will stay or will he join Arsenal or Chelsea? Get involved in the comments section below.