Jonathan Wilson: United's Rooney has become the quintessential English No. 10

[Jonathan Wilson]

Do statistics reflect truths hidden to everyday observation, or are they the great betrayers? To most, Wayne Rooney last season reached new peaks. He won the players' and the football writers' player of the year awards and scored 26 Premier League goals, 10 more than his next best season (2005-06). Then he was injured in the Champions League quarterfinal against Bayern Munich in March, United went out of that competition, its title challenge faltered and Rooney's form was destroyed for the best part of a year.

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[ajt09]

He may have slipped up, did a few silly things, on and off the pitch........but the simple fact is-Rooney is a magnificent footballer. All I have to say on the matter.

 

[Mike.]

He is good at 9, but great at 10, he brings so much out of the side. He will always have his detractors but he is a world class 10

 

[curtis290]

I don't see him as a 10 I see him as a support striker who plays deep. A number 10 is a midfielder. Riquelme, Aimar, etc. are number 10's. I see Rooney as a striker who has been asked to play a more supportive role so that Berba and Chicharito can play farther forward, where they're better. IMO credit should be given to SAF, I think he could train any player to any position.

 

[Joss]

From an England POV - Rooney's development as a #10 is magnificent. With Bent on fire and two pacey wingers + at least one excellent playmaker behind him whoever you play (Young, Downing, Walcott, Lennon, SWP, Gerrard, Lampard, Wilshere, etc.), there's really no excuse for Capello/whoever not playing 4-2-3-1 or at least a slightly less traditional 4-4-2. Even Man Utd have almost moved away from 4-4-2!

 

[Alcaraz]

I think even if Rooney plays at 9 or 10, he will still be great because one thing u can take away from any footballer is his ability and Rooney is a brilliant footballer, yes his form was bull for quite some time but people tend to forget that he did show flashes of his brilliance then suggesting his return to form was imminent and he turned it on for Man Utd at the most crucial stage of the season, a great footballer who is up there with the best in the world