I think there is a real question as to Rooney's role when he starts alongside anyone but Ruud. Ruud is used to playing as a target and can find goals for himself when isolated in the box and will find opportunities from rebounds and other such occasions. In that situation Rooney basically plays attacking midfield almost and tries to be an outlet for the team's attacking movements and when he gets the ball he can create either by playing the ball to the wings, to Ruud, or taking on defenders by himself. What does he do when Ruud is not the striker he is paired with? Smith and Saha are decent at doing what Ruud does, but I feel that they need more of the ball to be effective. So perhaps in those games Scholes will have to play higher and closer to the opponents box. It leaves us more exposed, but to score goals without your best striker most teams would do the same. Another option would be to drop Scholes altogether and play Rooney behind Smith and Saha - but I am not sure if that would work. The reason I brought this up is that when Ruud is out alot of chances fall to Rooney, but fewer to the other players. Maybe that was just an anomaly though - I guess we will know the true strength of the team after more games together.
You'd think at some point Rooney gets a rest. This would be his 4th game in the last week and a half. But SAF's said that Rooney doesn't need a rest yet. "I think Rooney needs games to be honest. He's only 18 years of age and he's been out for 96 days." - Sir Alex
[result] Need a win to keep up with Chelski as they - **SHOCKING** - win 1-0 yet again at HOME over EVerton. At least Arse nearly fell on their face yet again in the league with a 1-1 result at Selhurst. Too bad CP didn't get the late win. WOuld've served Arse right after their late goal against Saints last week. Hey Wenger, when are you going to stop yappin' about Ruud and worry about your squad? [/result]
I don't worry. In fact it amuses me how United fans, supporting a much bigger and more successful club (even though it isn't their local one ), still keep on like you with this comment. It's a game. Friendly 'local' rivalry. And as for 30 years, how many other clubs havent won anything in a long time? <yawn>
Any here miss the days gone by when Cantona and Kanchelskis use to rip Chiteh apart piece by piece? Three cheers for the scourge of Chiteh, Eric "The King of Old Trafford" Cantona!!!
Will be a close battle, tough match either way... too close to call imo. Hopefully playing at OT will give us a boost.
United: 13 Roy Carroll 5 Rio Ferdinand 4 Gabriel Heinze 2 Gary Neville 27 Mikael Silvestre 16 Roy Keane 17 Liam Miller 7 Cristiano Ronaldo 18 Paul Scholes 9 Louis Saha 14 Alan Smith
City: David James 1 Sylvain Distin 5 Richard Dunne 22 Willo Flood 44 Danny Mills 18 Paul Bosvelt 26 Stephen Jordan 41 Steve McManaman 20 Antoine Sibierski 10 Shaun Wright-Phillips 29 Nicolas Anelka 39
I'm pretty sure it is. I wish you would play him in the middle (preferably beside Keane), though the main thing is that he's getting matches. The lad isn't a winger, though I was very impressed with him v Prague. He has a great work rate. And he has been impressive in his Ireland matches, though isn't a starter for us yet.
United appeal for a penalty after Silvestre is held up in the box. Corner to United after a Ronaldo run.