Friday, May 15, 2009

Road to Rome: Mr.United

Unted can ROO-le the World!
There is but one guy who can play the support striker role so effectively. It's been a pivotal position for United this season.
My choice, Fergie's choice, our Martian second cousins' choice: Rooney
United's no.10 has become the first name on the team sheet this season. We all know of his outrageous talent as an out and out striker. We've seen it over the last 5-6 seasons but this season, he's been a different player. He's stood up for the team's cause and has shifted to a winger/support striker role, tracking back to help the full backs regularly. He's been playing in a free role since the arrival of Berbatov as the central striker. His energy and commitment has been visible this season toteh extent that he's been pegged explicitly as a winger on some occasions. HIs impact was visible in the match against Spurs when he shifted to the wings and ran rings around the Spurs' defense with 2 goals and an assist. He's become Mr.United this season, more so than Vidic and Ronaldo. Selfless, prodigiously talented and committed, that's Rooney for u this season. Has been in good goal scoring form too.
Barca's weak defence comes to the fore again. He'll be more of a threat to the full backs rather than to the centre backs. One option might be playing Martin Cesar Cecares as a make shift full back on the right as none of the reserve full backs seem capable of stopping Rooney. He'll be tracking back relentlessly along with Park to help Evra out against Messi. His goal scoring apart, I feel it'll be exploits against Messi that'll define the night for him.
Easily, the most important player for Utd on the field. When on song, there's one Rooney in front of the goal and another marking a striker at the same time.

Flipside:
In this kinda form, I really can't see any. One issue maybe his trigger happy attitude from long distances. With a striking line up boasting Berba/Tevez, Ronaldo and himself, it would make sense to have a good build up before pulling the trigger. He's developed into a very responsible individual from his spit-in-the-ref's-face days but lets hope there's no repeat of his ball-throwing antic that cost us dear against Fulham. Go Wazza! Go!

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