Okay, maybe we just needed an excuse to publish more Shrek pictures, but UEFA has let one Wayne Rooney off the hook for aggressively stamping accidentally stepping on an Aaaaaaalborg player last week.
Your requisite rhetorical question: Would it have been the same result if it had been a Man U player who was stepped on?
There are several unwavering lessons in soccer: never bet against the Germans, if you’re going to tackle from behind, make sure it counts, and the latest one: don’t mess with Wayne Rooney. If the irascible, potato-headed striker gets frustrated or flustered, well, let’s just say the results aren’t pretty.
Yesterday’s unlucky recipient of this logic was Aab Aalborg midfielder Kasper Risgaard, who received his wisdom via flying feet and cleat marks somewhere in the chest region.
To the tape! And, to the post-match quotes!
First, the video evidence. I am not a physicist by any means, but there’s more than just gravity at work there. Perhaps a soupcon of malice? Wayne was surely irritated at his side’s scrappy performance against the eliminated Danish side, not to mention the lack of success in front of goal at Old Trafford. The video shows a couple of other incidents, including a baffling kick on a defender with the ball nowhere near, and some shoving with a defender once the ball has gone. I’m not saying he should be sent off, but there’s some middle ground there! The ref didn’t do a thing!
Unsurprisingly, everyone’s weighing in, including coaches and players.
We get the victim’s response first. What say you, young Risgaard?
“I don’t know what he was thinking but he jumped on my chest. I don’t know why but I think he was a little bit frustrated. But I don’t understand it because they were playing good football and the score was 1-1 at the time. Anywhere else but here and it would have been a red card. But the referee didn’t say anything. I think referees are frightened to punish players at Old Trafford, and especially players like Rooney. But I can see the marks on my chest - big marks. He’s apologized, so that’s OK. But there was another incident too when he used his arm to hurt one of our players. I don’t think it looks good on television.”
Fair point about Old Trafford, and there is definitely something about Rooney and his temper that we’ve seen before that makes me wonder. He’s a fiery player (in the best and worst sense of the word), but it looks like he did get lucky with this one.
Aalborg manager Allan Kuhn was also non-committal as to intent, although upon further review (something that UEFA said they might do as both linesmen and the referee missed the incident) he might change his mind:
It is not good for a fantastic footballer. You have to keep your head and stay calm in situations like that - but that man was a little bit frustrated. I was not sure during the game and I have not seen the pictures, so I cannot be 100% sure, but some of my people have seen it and said it was.”
Of course Fergie looked at it the other way: AaB were the dirty ones, not Wayne! “Aalborg are not short of tackles are they? They got stuck in and the one on Carlos was a blatant attack. Probably what saved him was that Carlos got straight up.”
You have to admire the man’s ability to deflect and change the subject completely. What we should be talking about is the goalkeeper’s tackle on Tevez, not young Wayne!
Will anything come of this? Probably not - the news cycle is fickle and fast-paced like that. But it still merits some debate, mainly because Rooney is that type of character, capable of moments of brilliance and moments of madness at any given time. We’ve seen it in an Everton shirt, in the England shirt, and plenty of times in Manc red.
After losing to United 4 - nil at the weekend, West Brom captain Jonathan Greening came to this conclusion about Wayne Rooney:
“Rooney is just awesome, isn’t he? He is one of the best players in the world — if not the best — even at his young age…He’s fast and he’s strong. I don’t think there’s a weakness in his game. It simply doesn’t matter where Alex Ferguson decides to play him. You’ve just got to let him play where he feels he will be effective…If he is getting joy down the left, he’ll go there and if he’s getting joy down the right, he’ll go there. If he’s getting joy in the hole, he’ll play there. He’s just an amazing player.”
England’s 3-1 win in Minsk last night filled old Bigus with confidence. Not just another 3 points, but the reassurance that Fabio Capello knows what he is doing.
And just what is it that England’s super Italian is doing? Keeping it simple!
Sven favored a defensive approach and that arse clown McClaren scratched his bonce routinely, searching for an idea, but Fabio Capello has plenty of those and they have led to winning ways.
For starters, Capello has found a line-up he likes and has given them time to gel. While Sven was successful in qualifying, he tinkered with the line-up and found it hard to find a front two he bellieved in. McClaren was so inept in his selection, he would change formations from one game to the next, whereas Capello has been the complete opposite: stoic and determined in his ways. It’s a breath of fresh air. No Owen? How dare he! Crouch on the bench? Tough. “I am Capello and I like Heskey!”
Whilst Fabio still struggles to accomodate Gerrard and Lampard, he has found security in the rest of his improving 4-4-2. Rooney and Heskey understand each other up front and the back four have been consistent. The back line has become inter-changeable and deep under Capello. No Terry? No Cole? NO PROBLEM. Upson and Bridge were the latest pieces to the party and both looked comfortable in Minsk.
Where Capello’s simplicity has paid off has been in Englands substitutions. He does not tinker with the shape of the team during a game. Walcott off? Shaun Wright Phillips on. Heskey off? Crouch on. Like-for-like changes that have helped England stay consistent in their endeavours and top of their qualification group, a group that looked fairly trecherous when it was drawn. Ukraine and Croatia are no pushovers!
The midfield conundrum is an entirely different matter for Capello. Who would not want to partner the best two central midfielders in the country? It’s a poser that will continue to haunt this current England squad all the way to the World Cup. Gerrard was excellent last night but it’s clear that he and Lampard find it extremelly difficult to connect with one another.
But as Fabio wrangles with his midfield, he can find comfort in the rest of his side. Heskey and Rooney look comfortable together as do their back-ups, Crouch and Defoe, and the back four look set with plenty of positional depth on the bench.
Belarus’s only goal last night came from a defensive lapse as Brown was caught napping at the back post, but such a lapse can be tolerated when your side looks comfortable every time they move forward. And England did, especially in the second half. Even with the odd couple sharing space in the midfield, England looked comfortable. Walcott struggled at times but the youngster’s treble in Zagreb has given him a HUGE reputation to live up to, and England fans MUST be patient.
The opening goal of last night’s match came early after the exceptional Rooney turned his marker and moved into space only to spot Gerrard rushing to the ball. He backed off and the resulting shot from 30 yards was unstoppable, finding its way into the bottom-right corner of the net.
20 minutes later England fell asleep briefly and paid the price as Belarus found a way into the box and a cheeky Igor Stasevich cross found Pavel Sitko unmarked as Wes Brown watched on.
After that, it was all England. Heskey worked the ball wide on 50 minutes and crossed low for Rooney to finish to make it 2-1 and England continued to press.
Rooney capped an outstanding outing with a brilliant solo effort with 15 or so minutes remaining, taking on two players before wrong-footing the keeper and sticking the ball in at the near post.
Rooney has 5 goals in the last 3 games and has been nothing short of a revelation for England of late. He is still 22! Hard to believe, eh? He seems to have been around forever! He has found a true partner in Emile Heskey and he is making the most of it.
England should have scored a fourth towards the end of last night’s game but Gerrard refused to acknowledge his left foot as he was put through to an empty goal. The outside of his right boot found the post. A simple left-footed swipe would have found the net with ease.
Overall Capello has to be pleased. He doesn’t have an obvious answer to the great midfield question that graces every breakfast table debate in England, but at this point, who cares?
Croatia away? Done. Belarus away? Done. Kazakhstan? Done. As my mate Garry ‘Hoops’ would say, “job’s a good ‘un!”
England sit at the top of the heap today, 5 points clear of Croatia with a confidence they have been lacking in recent times.
I for one have been impressed with Capello’s attitude and team selection. The players seem happy and the goals are flowing. There is finally a consitency to the line up and bench.
The simple truth is, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. It’s that simple. It’s Capello simple.
ALEX FERGUSON has told Manchester United fans it is time to forgive Cristiano Ronaldo for trying to quit the club.
Ronaldo will make his first appearance before the Red Devils faithful since May’s Champions League triumph as they begin the defence of that crown.
And the winger can expect a luke-warm reception from an Old Trafford crowd still smarting after the Portuguese star’s attempts to join Real Madrid this summer.
But gaffer Fergie says Ronaldo deserves another chance as he has been a model professional since returning to United and battling back from his ankle injury.
Ferguson said: “I think the fans understand the situation — he was a young man tempted by the lure of money.
“Since we gave him our decision he has accepted it and his training has been fantastic.
“He’s come back from his ankle operation ahead of schedule and been the perfect patient.
“Cristiano has been training every day until 5pm and shown real determination to get back playing.â€
Ferguson says Ronaldo’s attitude off the training field has been spot on, too, despite being denied his apparent ‘dream’ move to the Bernabeu.
The Old Trafford boss added: “There has been no toys thrown out the pram. He has accepted the situation and got on with it.
“I’m delighted he is back. You are talking about a truly magnificent player.â€
But Stuart Parish of the Manchester United Supporters Trust, believes Ronaldo will need to make a big effort to win back the fans — despite his 42 goals last season.
No Ronaldo songs have been sung this season as they often are in a player’s absence.
The song ‘Viva Ronaldo’, sung throughout last season’s triumphant Champions League campaign, has been changed to ‘Viva John Terry’ after the Chelsea captain’s penalty miss in the thrilling Moscow final. Parish said: “He will get a mixed reaction, there is no doubt about that.
“I watched the Liverpool game in a pub at the weekend and some fans booed Ronaldo when he was pictured on the TV.
“But they were shouted down pretty quickly because United fans just don’t boo their own players.
“The only one I can think of was Rio Ferdinand, when he wouldn’t sign his contract, but even then it was a minority.
“The fans won’t turn on Ronaldo in a big way. It’s just not our style.
“At every game last year, the fans sang his name all the time, but I haven’t heard one Ronaldo song since the start of pre-season.
“The fans just want to blank him and, if he is going to get that adulation back, he will have to earn it.
“I’m sure he will turn it on again, though, and I don’t think his relationship with the fans has gone forever.â€
Ronaldo is likely to be on the bench tonight as United host Spaniards Villarreal.
Fergie is expecting a big improvement after the 2-1 defeat at Liverpool on Saturday.
He said: “That was a disappointment. We did not cope with Liverpool’s tackling.
PALS … Ronaldo and Rooney
“They forged a victory out of winning the ball and we got careless in our defending.
“If you want to compete at the top level you have to compete as hard as Liverpool did.â€
United will be hot favourites to make it out of Group E, which also contains Celtic and Danish side Aalborg.
But United’s opening group stage of the 2005-06 tournament will serve as a warning against any complacency.
That was the last time they met Villarreal — and came bottom of the group behind them Benfica and Lille.
Ferguson added: “That was a real low point. It was a difficult period for us, we had a lot of young players.â€
If Ferguson successfully defends the European Cup he will join Anfield legend Bob Paisley as the only managers to have won the competition three times.
Fergie said: “As a club, we should have won it more times and to win it again and take our tally to four will be much more acceptable.â€
England midfielder Michael Carrick is out for six weeks after breaking his foot, while Paul Scholes is suspended tonight after being sent-off in the Super Cup final against Zenit St Petersburg.
Dimitar Berbatov also looks set to miss out on his Champions League debut after picking up a knee injury against Liverpool.
You can surely file this missive under the “Too Early” label, but it’s still a point worth mentioning: what on earth has happened to Wayne Rooney? He’s been on a rather troubling trajectory of late, and his growing anonymity in games is close to rivaling the disappearances of England teammate Frank Lampard. Where’s the hustle, the influence, the pace, the tenacity? Perhaps he left them all at the beach with Coleen?
As far as his career is going, he’s at a difficult age. Considering when he came into the league, he’s still incredibly young, but time served dictates that he should be emerging into one of the world’s top players at this point. He’s had great managers, great teammates, and all the opportunities in the world to take his skills to the highest possible level. Of course I’m not ruling out that he’ll still get there, but his rather lackluster form is troubling the masses.
The papers and the blogs are beginning to touch the story, so I figured I’d have a go. My solution is relatively simple: he needs to leave Manchester United.
The Guardian is the first to point out the delicate situation unfolding, noting that Fergie isn’t really doing a good job in figuring out what to do with young Wayne, or how to curb his natural tendencies to backtrack when he’s needed as a striker. For them, the answer is simple: buy another striker.
Right, it’s that simple, isn’t it? The process of solving problems via spending has worked, with varying degrees of success, the other big English clubs, and it seems like whenever they have a down year, Barca and Real simply open the purse and let their wheeling-dealing fix any issues they couldn’t battle out of before.
However, time is ticking on that window, and the Berbatov mess is now worse than the Gareth Barry quicksand that sapped our energy all summer long.
This guy sums things up a bit, but leaves us on a cliffhanger, although he does point to two other articles that present another side to an already complex problem.
Again, the Guardian looks at Rooney’s wandering tendencies as being part of the problem, and miraculously, they get Fergie to open up on the subject! Normally he would let his lacky deal with any unpleasantness, but Queiroz is long gone back to Portugal…
This is something we are talking to Wayne about and he himself has started to identify that it’s a weakness. It is not a bad thing for him to have come out [after England's 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic] and said so.
He is realising he needs to be more around the edge of the box in the last third of play. It can be a waste of energy chasing from man to man to man. But that’s his natural enthusiasm and you can’t fault that.”
Well, if we’re being brutally honest, you can fault that, especially if it’s stopping Manchester United from being the offensive juggernaut they and their fans have come to expect.
While Ferguson is content the deficiency is nothing major, he does feel Rooney’s energy could be better utilised elsewhere.
Capello is of the same opinion and feels the 22-year-old should concentrate on terrorising opposition defences, but Rooney is content with the way he plays and does not believe any adaptation is required.
“I don’t think I will ever lose my determination,” he said.
“It is something I have always had. If we are not winning I get frustrated. “I don’t like losing. If you are telling me that is wrong I won’t believe you.”
Rooney clearly feels his all-action style is based upon a natural competitive streak that comes to the surface when situations are starting to turn sour.
Uh oh. Well this is a little mini-storm brewing, isn’t it?
Fabio and Fergie feel one way, Rooney does another. So what’s the tipping point?
As I see it, albeit in my outsider, bloggy perspective, think this isn’t something that’s going to disappear any time soon, regardless of whether Man U get themselves scoring three or four goals a game. Rooney’s style of play is rather hard to pin down into a system, but it appears that a system and form is exactly what Man United are looking for. They want a coherent style of play with a clear purpose, but it’s tough to do that when you have a player who doesn’t understand where their responsibilities begin or end.
A lot of people (including on this blog) point to Steven Gerrard as being a guy who gives Liverpool a similar problem; no matter what the formation or tactics, Stevie Mbe has freedom to do whatever he pleases, and while I welcome that, it’s not entirely beloved.
For Rooney, it’s slightly different considering he’s employed as a striker. It’s no secret that your strikers are going to be ineffective when they’re coming back to their own half to either win possession or collect possession, but what can Ferguson do? Tevez also loves to come back behind the front two and maraud, so that leaves them with just Saha and Frazier Campbell to actually play striker. Not exactly world-beating, is it?
The other big complication is Rooney’s age. He’s demonstrated in the past just how sensitive he is to criticism, a by-product of his tough upbringing, and while he thrived at a one-dimensional club like Everton, where both his work rate and enthusiasm were championed, things are a bit different at Old Trafford.
The team mentality is there like it was at Goodison, but there are still hierarchies of personality within the team, and it trickles down from there. Everyone has a job to do, and Rooney’s constant disappearance from the front line, where he should be, is causing problems in the way they distribute the ball and begin their attacks.
When Ronaldo is back, it should get easier for Fergie to marshal everyone into a coherent attacking unit, but if he speaks out much more on the subject, he risks sending Rooney into a tailspin.
Wayne Rooney is the future of England. He’s showing the skill of Beckham, the scoring ability of Lineker, and the guts and emotion of Gascoigne, arguably three of our biggest national heroes in the annals of history. Perhaps Man United’s formalism isn’t right for him. These problems wouldn’t crop up at a club where he could employ his work rate without fear of rebuke. For me, I certainly don’t think it’s where he is now.
The Reds’ sensational Double success of last season could lead to more honours this week at the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year awards.
United are the best-represented club with no fewer than six players shortlisted as the best performers in their positions for the 2007/08 campaign.
Edwin van der Sar is up for the best goalkeeper award while Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are in contention for the defender gong.
Paul Scholes’ name is in the hat for the midfielder prize while front men Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo will be vying for the forward of the year honour. All six Reds could also win the overall Club Footballer of the Year award.
The shortlists reflect the Premier League’s dominance of the Champions League last season, with 17 of the 20 candidates for the awards plying their trade in England. Added to United’s six are five from Chelsea (Peter Cech, John Terry, Michael Essien, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba), four from Liverpool (Pepe Reina, Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres) and two from Arsenal (Manuel Almunia, Cesc Fabregas).
The three nominees from outside the English game are Schalke 04 goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Barcelona defender Carles Puyol and his team-mate, forward Lionel Messi.
Coaches of the 16 teams that reached the knockout phase of the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League were invited to cast their votes. The award winners will be announced at the draw for this season’s group stage on Thursday 28 August – the day before United face UEFA Cup winners Zenit St Petersburg in the UEFA Super Cup final at Monaco’s Stade Louis II.
This is a video compilation about the history of the club.It contains many of the greatest moments in our history.There is a special tribute to the Munich tragedy and Sir Alex Ferguson.Its around 20 minutes long as it encompasses most of our illustrious history
The Rooney clan was back at it the other day. Going all out in Ibiza again, this time in the sunlight. Ladies and Gentlemen, if you have ever wondered what the visual definition of Chav is, there is a photo montage after the break.
NSFW, depending on your company's affinity for man-ass.
Pale boys on a boat
Visible homunculus!
Way to burn out those scooters, boys
Who knew Rooney was a Rutgers Fan?
Rooney is said to be paying out $500k for his week of debauchery with his family and mates. Couldn't he have paid for a spray tan first? Also, since Coleen is totally against having anything Chavvy at her wedding, does that mean that none of these guys can go?
Update: The Fan's Attic here...and just for those of into man-strings...Kickette has an even better picture of Roo's buddies.
Well, our desperate call for tips last month netted is nothing. Apparently, our reader base is smart enough to know that a trip to Vegas is an inherently losing proposition. Good on you all, fellas.
In the end, it seems that we didn't really need anyone to provide us with Rooney drinking pics. All we needed was to read the Daily Mail online. Let's dissect, shall we? So, yeah. Rooney has been spotted in Ibiza taking in a stag night (weekend? week?) with some of his boys. I don't know about any of you marrieds out there, but at my bachelor party, there could not have been a picture taken without two things: alcohol and naked chicks. Rooney's party has the alcohol down, but there is a conspicuous lack of female bodies around. I understand that Rooney is smart enough to know that he will be photographed at every opportunity and must stay away from the ladies, but how about using some of that star wattage to get a little play for your friends? Must the entire night be female free?
Alright, to the pictures.
Whoa, who's the idiot? It's Rooney's brother, of course. Well, if I think about it, maybe the brother is a gemologist just getting off work. Perhaps the family is not so dim after all.
What? Why? It's 2 o'clock in the frickin' morning. Take those fucking sunglasses off your head. And is that a Long Island Ice Tea? I know that's what a real man drinks, an alcohol suicide. Actually, I think it's Cuervo Black and Coke.
This picture's caption should read: "Nope, there's no way that this spotlight is intentionally in me. I sat right under the dome light in the middle of the vehicle by accident. In no way do I want people to see me." but that would be way too long to fit under the picture.
Alright, I have no idea about Ibiza. For all I know it could be a British enclave on a Spanish isle. But come on. You travel to the Mediterranean to drink at a bar owned by Gary Lineker's brother? Isn't there somewhere a bit more authentic you could have gone to? At least put on a sombrero. George Best would.
Finally, a poll. How long will the Rooney-McLoughlin nuptials last? I used to work with a guy that was married for six weeks. Can Rooghlin beat that?
Okay, maybe we just needed an excuse to publish more Shrek pictures, but UEFA has let one Wayne Rooney off the hook for 
