I am not sure that Manchester United fans like Souness, I think that is pretty understandable really, well it seems now that they might have even more reason to dislike the Scot.
The fire around Wayne Rooney had started to die down after his bust up with Sir Alex Ferguson towards the back end of last year, well now the former Newcastle manager has fanned the remaining flames and claimed that Fergie and his colleagues at Old Trafford are preparing to sell the scouser this Summer, remember, don’t shoot the messenger!
Rooney who cost the Old Trafford side £26million has been extremely successful at United since this move. He has scored 139 goals in 307 games for the club and has been one of their most important players, however in recent times his form has dipped somewhat. He played a period for the club on the left wing where he was not overly happy and a string of matters off the pitch have also affected his form it seems, he has struggled this term and other than a couple of highlights he has flattered to deceive.
It is this loss of form that has driven Souness to suggest that the United hierarchy are ready to sell the striker in an effort to receive as much money as they can for the player should his form continue to dip. This is what the Scot has said:
“In the back of Fergie’s mind, he’ll think, ‘I may cash in on Rooney in the summer’ as he’s been average, and that’s being kind to him…..At the World Cup everything bounced off him and that has continued.”
I cannot help but feel the sale of Rooney would be a bit of a knee jerk reaction, not even the staunchest United fan would claim that Rooney was having a good season, but to sell him because he is past his best? I just don’t see it personally. One bad season does not make a bad player, his dreadful World Cup and start to the campaign now appear to be down to problems off the field.
These personal issues are something that the striker finds it difficult to avoid it seems, but should he be able to stay out of trouble I am certain he can return to being the player that he once was. So unless there are more tabloid stories to come, meaning more dips in the forwards form I doubt Ferguson will sell.
What if his manager does choose to cash in though? Well the sum recouped for the player at this point would still be very large, even though he has had a questionable season, he has now signed a long term contract so there are no issues there and his market value would still be very high. Sir Alex would be able to spend big, providing he got his hands on the money. Where would likely destinations for the player be?
Well with the amount of sums involved, I can only see it being Real Madrid, Chelsea or Manchester City. I definitely can’t see him playing at Eastlands, firstly the player wouldn’t do that and he would never be accepted by the City faithful, Chelsea or Madrid are definite possibilities should Fergie decide it is indeed time to cash in.
I still don’t see it myself however, but strange things can happen in football. I can see where Souness is coming from with these comments and should the strikers form not improve between now and the end of the season, then maybe, just maybe?
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