Much has been said and written about the form of “our Wayne” and the reason(s), beyond the usual dip in form inherent in sport, for his subdued performances thus far this season. Sir Alex’s take on this is Rooney’s recent lack of games, while some hacks – gleefully jumping on the ABU band-wagon – suggest that his despatch to the wings against Benfica, for example, has contributed to some of his discontent, as voiced in his “body language”. Others still point to his age and immaturity, both in footballing and human terms.
But here’s a thought about Rooney: perhaps, Rooney is facing up to his Nemesis, and has found himself wanting. Since he signed for United in the summer of 2004, Rooney has taken centre-stage, make no mistake, in all aspects of Manchester United – be in merchandising, team tactics, media attention, supporters’ hopes, Glazers’ debt financing. His debut hat-trick on a flood-lit European night only served to build Rooney into an even larger than Life figure. In all this time, Rooney has never been challenged by anyone on the pitch wearing United Red, let alone be cast aside.
This season, however, the other half of the much vaunted Ro-Ro partnership has come of age, and Cristiano Ronaldo has literally wrestled the mantle of United’s main man away from Rooney. It was bad enough that the older, canny, Ronaldo humbled him, and England, on the Global stage; now the Portugese’s performances have appeared to Rooney as a challenge to his position in the intimacy that Old Trafford previously afforded him, an attempt to put the younger sibling firmly in his place.
It is this aspect of growing and maturing that Rooney needs to grasp. He needs to rid himself of his Nemesis Thinking and recognise the strength that comes from Brotherhood – for himself and Manchester United.
