Rooney vs. Torres no contest or is there?

On Sunday two of the most highly rated strikers in the Premier League come head to head at Old Trafford.

Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney and Chelsea’s Fernando Torres are two of Europe’s biggest name strikers.

Difference

There is a big difference between the pair this season and that’s their goal output. While England striker Wayne Rooney has fired home eight goals in the Premier League, Fernando Torres has yet to hit the target in the top flight.

In fact the Spaniard has found the net just once in the Premier League since joining Chelsea from Liverpool in January for £50million. That’s not the scoring record of a £50million superstar striker. Brazilian defender David Luiz has scored twice since his arrival from Benfica in January.

Confidence

Torres seems to be struggling for confidence in front of goal. Chances he would have buried two years ago he is now snatching at. He doesn’t seem to know where the goal is anymore. Torres hasn’t became a bad player overnight though.

Wayne Rooney went through a similar spell last season were he just couldn’t find the net. He got frustrated at not finding the net but he still contributed to the team. Torres isn’t a complete waste, he is still contributing to the team.

As he showed with two assists in the Blues 2-0 midweek victory over Bayern Leverkusen in the Champions League. Torres just needs to score one goal and I’m sure they will start flowing. The 27 year-old must also feel the pressure of that big price tag.

Favour

One thing that is to Fernando Torres favour with the game against Manchester United, is the fact that he seems to thrive when up against the Red Devils. In his Liverpool days he was the scourge of United defences.

Torres was always seen by Manchester United as the big threat when in a Liverpool shirt. One of the key players to stop to get the upper hand over the Reds. However its doubtful that United will be thinking about Torres in that way anymore and that could help the Spaniard.

Tight

This game is likely to be tighter than the Premier League encounters that United have played in so far. I can’t see Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young getting as much space play in in this one. Chelsea are likely to setup on the counter-attack and that won’t be to United’s liking.

Matured

This season Wayne Rooney is showing a maturity both on and off the pitch that simply wasn’t there last season. I just hope that this new found maturity lasts and has an effect on his England career. A fit and mature Wayne Rooney could be a deadly weapon for the Three Lions.

He has lost some of his impetuousness but kept the fire which makes him the player he is. As a player though he will always be fiery and you can’t take that away from him.

Comparison

For their clubs they lead their sides attack but its unfair to make comparisons between the pair. I’m sure even Wayne Rooney thinks that Fernando Torres is a top player. Top players don’t just lose their talent but like anybody if they are low on confidence it gets difficult for them to perform at the top of their game.

Catalyst

This game could be a really big catalyst for Fernando Torres’ season. There hasn’t really been much wrong with his recent performances, he just hasn’t been able to find that elusive goal. If he scores against Manchester United that could start the goals flowing and then maybe we will see the Fernando Torres of two seasons ago.

Sooner or later Torres will rediscover his form and its vital for Chelsea’s sake that its sooner. Fernando Torres used to be a big game player maybe its this big game that will ignite his Chelsea career and season.

Can Fernando Torres scored against Manchester United at Old Trafford?