Manchester United striker and future hall-of-famer Wayne Rooney has been criticized by many fans and pundits alike in recent years of having grown complacent of his role at Old Trafford, with some calling him lazy. And while it’s true the former Everton man could play better, the criticism he has received over the recent season has been undeserved.
Ever since his departure from boyhood club Everton at the young age of 18, Rooney has been a phenomenal athlete for Manchester United, winning the club trophy after trophy season after season. Indeed, he has won 16 titles in his career so far, including five Premier League titles, an FA Cup win, three League Cup triumphs, and a Champions League win to boot.
And yet, many seem to have forgotten all those accolades, especially last season, when people criticised the Red Devils legend performances on the pitch and labeled him as past his prime, despite becoming United’s all-time top goalscorer last year, beating the legendary Sir Bobby Charlton.
Now there are reports linking the 31 year old with a move away from United in the near future, with the MLS or China his likely destination.
Such rumours only serve to discredit the great talent Rooney has and what he can still offer to Manchester United in the coming season, and fan favourite England striker Peter Crouch agrees.
“When you look back at Wayne Rooney’s career I think maybe he’s been a bit under-appreciated. He’s Manchester United’s record goalscorer; what a club that is to be record goalscorer of. He’s England’s record goalscorer,” Crouch said in a recent interview.
“He’s had an incredible career and is one of the best players England has ever produced. I think there will come a time when we look back and remember just how much he has done in the game,” the Stoke City icon added.
Will Rooney get the plaudits he deserves, especially now that criticising him and pointing out his flaws in the media is the ”in” thing to do? With the transfer market set to officially open in less than a month’s time and reports heavily linking him to a move away from Old Trafford, I guess we shall see soon enough.