Following the loss of Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, United have had to more or less totally rely on Wayne Rooney to score the goals. The former Everton striker scored 34 in total last season, it was an amazing return for a forward who hadn't previously been prolific for United.
Rooney had a fantastic season, but it all turned sour in the knockout phase of the Champions League when he sustained an injury against Bayern Munich in March and he hasn't scored since for either club or country.
In the summer Ferguson moved to strengthen his forward options with the addition of Javier Hernadez. The Mexican has great potential and his arrival will almost certainly push Michael Owen down the pecking order. Fergie can also call upon Kiko Macheda who suffered with injuries last season.
But the man in form at Old Trafford right now is Dimitar Berbatov. The situation is this: Berbatov's name is currently the first on Fergie's team-sheet. With question marks about his form, Rooney is no longer guaranteed his starting place. Last weekend, we were told Rooney didn't travel to London for the Fulham game because of a 'stomach bug' - there's no reason at this stage to question if that was the real reason. However, the pressure is very much on Rooney to re-discover his form and to use a Fergie phrase 'there's no question about that'.
It doesn't actually matter who scores the goals, as long as United win and everyone including Rooney is doing their job for the team.
Unlike last season, Rooney's regular starting place is under threat because we now have serious competition for places and that's exactly how it should be.
There was a feeling following that injury in the away leg against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, that Rooney was rushed back too soon. If the same thing happened this season, then surely there's no reason why the manager should rush his star striker back into action.
Later today United face West Ham United at Old Trafford. Rooney has been pencilled in to start, with Everton, Rangers and Liverpool on the horizon now would be a good time for the player who scored 34 goals least season to rediscover his touch in front of goal.
If you fancy a punt on Manchester United vs West Ham United, then check out the latest betting odds.
First goal scorer odds:
Wayne Rooney 4.00 (3/1) Eurobet.com
Dimitar Berbatov 5.00 (4/1) Eurobet.com
Chicharito 5.00 (4/1) Bet365.com
The question mark in the title is fully justified actually.. Rooney's form is incredibly bad... Lucky he managed to score from an unusually taken penalty kick, you could tell the lad was under severe pressure...
ReplyDeleteSuch an axe is necessary and having a stern Scottish boss wouldn't help it much would it!
http://www.theredevilspot.com/2010/08/man-utd-eye-rodwell-before-the-transfer.html