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There
always seems to be an over-hyped topic in football. Whether it’s the physicality
of the modern game or ridiculously defensive tactics, football fans and media
outlets alike always have big news to discuss again and again, until it isn’t
even a news story anymore. Wayne Rooney’s future as a Manchester United player
seems to be the latest example of this, with stories, true or otherwise, coming
out of the club every other minute.
On
24th September Sir Alex Ferguson told the Italian newspaper Gazzetta
dello Sport that Rooney was starting to feel the strain of the media. He said: “He
is realising what it means to be at the centre of media attention for non-football-related
questions. He would like to
keep playing with freedom, but the siege of the tabloids can wear out anyone.”
Although the off-field controversy and personal problems may well affect
Rooney’s form on the pitch, the striker can only blame himself for the, quite
frankly, appalling performances that he has been putting in for both club and
country. Sir Alex, though, is right, kind of.
Everyone
know’s that the English media are far too intrusive and play to their
readership’s simple needs day-in,
day-out. While newspapers, twenty-four-hour news channels and opinionated blogs
cannot be blamed fully for the dismal showings of the former-Everton striker,
they do pose a problem to Rooney and his family.
While
some would have little sympathy with Wayne with his, and Colleen’s, appearances
in Hello! And Ok! Magazine and other celebrity-obsessed publications, a person’s
private life should not be splashed all over the front pages. Whatever he’s
alleged to have done is nothing to do with anyone but those involved. It
doesn’t matter how famous they are or much of an idol they apparently need to
be, no one deserves to see their marriage ripped apart even further by the
tabloids.
Rooney
is clearly fed up with the media and Ferguson is clearly fed up of discussing the
Rooney situation in press conferences. It is a common conception that media
outlets elsewhere in the world are less intrusive. While it is quite difficult
to judge the level of press invasion, it is clear that, in foreign lands, they
are not so obsessed with celebrities (apart from in America, of course). They
don’t listen to rumours until they are officially confirmed. Their thirst for
knowledge is not as obscene as in Britain.
A
move to another country is not going to solve Rooney’s problems, in fact it
could create more issues; A new language, new culture and possibly more media
exposure because of the current lack of English stars plying their trade abroad.
But a move away from Manchester United and England will benefit him as a player
and a person. The small number of high-quality English footballers playing
abroad has been commented on by many (most notably in the fantastic book, Why England Lose) and Rooney going to
Spain, Italy or Germany would, of course, create quite a stir. It wouldn’t be
Beckham-esque, but the move, along with a high-profile fall-out with Fergie,
would make for massive headlines.
As
many people have been quick to point out, this isn’t first occasion that
someone has crossed Fergie. Unfortunately for Rooney, the Scot usually comes
out on top. Beckham, Keane, Van Nistelrooy, Stam and, more recently, Tevez; all
players who have felt the wrath of a fall-out with Fergie. All have left the
club pretty soon after their respective spat, which only fuels talk that Rooney
will soon leave the Red Devils after his comments after the recent England
international.
As
always, the mere chance of Rooney leaving has been greeted by various rumours
about prospective new clubs. Real Madrid are reportedly the favourites, while
Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Manchester City are supposedly
interested. £50 million is the fee being quoted in the newspapers, although
Manchester City could quite easily, and happily, improve on this. Most clubs,
though, would be cautious in paying this price for a player who is clearly
unhappy at a club and wants to leave, and who is in the last eighteen months of
his contract with a club who seemingly want rid of him. Money to City, though,
has no value.
The
likelihood of Ferguson allowing his star asset to join local rivals City is
very unlikely. Carlos Tevez technically went from United to City but that was a
completely different, and all the more complicated, situation. Rooney would be
the most hated man in the North West, without a doubt, if he went to City.
Forgetting
about the personal issues for a second, going to City would be a terrible move
for the striker. Although he would be able to link up with old mate Tevez
again, he would not progress as a player whatsoever. If Rooney is to become a
better player, especially on the international stage, he needs to go abroad. At
Real Madrid he could join former-United star Cristiano Ronaldo in Jose
Mourinho’s side and could even swap places with Karim Benzema, while, at Barca,
which would possibly be the better Spanish move, he could play in one of the
greatest attacking sides of modern times. Messi, Villa, Pedro, Bojan, Xavi,
Iniesta.. and Rooney. A lovely little thought.
Italian
defences could provide a greater test for Rooney, which would be even better
for England if he can prove his worth there. Inter Milan are reportedly keen to
sign the striker, although rivals AC Milan, with recent recruits Robinho and
Ibrahimovic, as well as Ronaldinho and Pato, could be looking to improve on
their already ego-filled squad. Where Rooney would fit in to the Rossoneri side is an entirely different
question, but that didn’t stop Massimiliano Allegri from buying two strikers to
add to an already-full forward line.
A move to Germany would certainly be surprising
given the apparent decline in ‘lure-ability’ in German club football, although
that could entice Rooney even more. What is for sure, though, is that Rooney has
to go abroad if he can’t sort his problems with Sir Alex out. And, after Fergie
revealed on Tuesday, just a day before a crucial Champions League match against
Bursaspor, it may not be too long before United lose their prized asset.
This article was originally published on football
website Football Speak but is now unavailable due to a site update.
