It’s amazing what a difference a month can make. Going back to the start of August it seemed Rooney was destined for the exit door with Chelsea ready to be his saviour. Jose Mourinho had already publically admitted his interest for Rooney but understandably new manager David Moyes was less than enthused to let him go.
Moyes continued to tell everyone that Rooney was going nowhere and eventually Rooney confirmed this. The fans positive reaction towards him when he appeared for the first time at Old Trafford this season, fittingly against Chelsea, was enough to persuade him to stay.
His first appearance had come the week before in the 4-1 win at Swansea, where he set up two goals in a 30 minute cameo. Another good performance against Chelsea followed but his early season was curtain railed by an injury that would rule him out of the Derby match with Liverpool and both England games.
But after a stunning free kick against Crystal Palace and another excellent performance against Leverkusen in Europe, scoring another two goals, proving that a bit of love has Rooney firing again but how will this help United?
- Assisting van Persie. Not only will the ‘re-birth’ of Rooney create far more opportunities for RVP it will also take some of the pressure of the Dutchman. Last season it was van Persie’s goals fired United to the title but Rooney found injuries and loss of form detriment to his season. Van Persie was the man United turned to when they needed something special but with Rooney back in form, you know he can turn a game on its head as well.
- He will also chip in with several goals himself. As we have seen in the past it’s not beyond him to put the ball in the back of the net. 26 league goals in 2009-2010 and 27 league goals in 2011-2012 show this and whilst it’s unlikely, with RVP the main man right up top, that he’ll score that many again, 15-20 goals would aid to another title push.
- Chelsea have not benefited from a rejuvenated Rooney. Mourinho had been searching for a striker. He obviously didn’t feel that Torres or Demba Ba were up to the challenge and a player who could score 25+ goals a season would have been perfect with the creative midfield he has got. Samuel Eto’o has joined since but whether he still has it is another question.
Whilst Man United only signed Marouane Fellaini during the transfer window, Wayne Rooney returning to form almost seems like a new player and will serve as a huge boost to manager David Moyes. Many fans couldn’t believe the of transfer activity at Old Trafford, but if a Rooney-RVP partnership sparkles, there will be few fans moaning come the end of the season.