Manchester United fans have every reason to feel anxious every time some sort of breaking news flashes up on their computer or television screens. Are they thinking, is it totally inconceivable that Sir Alex Ferguson could allow Wayne Rooney to join Manchester City? Is it beyond the realms of possibility that Ferguson underestimates the strength of his ‘noisy neighbours’ and would allow Rooney to leave for a hefty transfer fee, and be of no threat to Manchester United?
To United fans, I am afraid its not. Fine players have crossed Ferguson in the past – the likes of David Beckham, Paul Ince, Jaap Stam, Roy Keane and Ruud Van Nistelrooy. All have been shown the door in no uncertain terms. I fully accept that Keane was coming to the end of his career at the time, but he was still club captain and and an inspiration to the young developing squad at the time – with the exceptions of Liam Miller and Kieran Richardson. Ferguson taught both his squad and Keane that no one was bigger than Manchester United.
Wayne Rooney clearly has disappointed Ferguson with both the allegations about his private life and his dismissive interview after England’s friendly with Montenegro. It’s difficult to understand what Rooney’s agenda was. If he was trying to fool England fans into believing that he is sharp and injury free then he is fooling know one. If his intention was to use the media to turn against Ferguson then it seems his time at Old Trafford will be over.
I feel for Manchester United fans in this situation because they are torn, firstly in their gratitude and respect for arguably Britain’s greatest ever manager and their hero worship of arguably the best striker in the game. Without a shadow of a doubt, the fans trust Ferguson. Its fair to say that had he not backed the Glazers then there time at Old Trafford may have been a distant stain on the proud history of their club. Secondly, Ferguson has previous, and has come out on the other side grinning. Without a doubt some of the top names Ferguson has dispatched have gone on to play at great club sides like AC Milan, Internazionale and Real Madrid but never bettered their Old Trafford career.
On the other hand the fans love Rooney. They love his attitude, they love his commitment, they love his disdain for Liverpool F.C and they love most of all his goals. Rooney netted 26 league goals last season – filling the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo. Do the fans sit, wait and hope that everything turns out fine. Do they back one or the other and risk splitting a united fan base. My feeling is that United fans have had enough of loosing their heroes. If your not a Manchester United fan just imagine your club selling players of the quality of Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez all in the space of three years. I know I would be disillusioned with the direction my club was taking.
It does have to be pointed out that Ferguson has not publicly made any indication on what he will do with his striker. Contract negotiations are exactly that – negotiations. Before the World Cup it seemed certain that Nemanja Vidic was on his way out of Old Trafford. However, David Gill and Ferguson between them convinced the Serb to stay – the very same could be happening with Rooney. Both parties simply could be holding out for what they see as the best deal for them, forgetting what this is doing to the fans.
If United sold to City imagine what message that would send out. For the sake of the United fans something has to give in this situation and the two need to settle their differences. As one Manchester United fan said. ‘I love this club but its breaking my heart to see what’s happening to us.’
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