Wayne Rooney has endured frustration at times with Manchester United, but will the England striker move to Pastures new this summer?
Manchester United drew 2-2 with West Ham last night at the Boleyn Ground.
The Champions-elect came from a goal down twice to earn a point through a 77th minute strike from Robin Van Persie.
Consistency
Manchester United has been the very model of consistency this season and that will eventually win the Red Devils the title.
They have ground out points when they have needed to, but have not exactly been putting in outstanding performances.
The style of play has not always been spectacular this season, more functional. I think many United fans would agree that this is not their best team in recent years.
Summer
With the title as good as secured, everybody connected with United must be looking towards the summer and wondering what will happen?
Speculation
The English media seems to be trumpeting the story about Wayne Rooney leaving for French giants PSG in a deal worth £25million. Rooney has not had his best season by United standards.
The England international’s form has been patchy and he does not seem to be enjoying his football. He is cutting a frustrated figure on the pitch at the moment.
Rooney is no longer the main man in attack, with Robin van Persie being the main man in the United strike force Rooney has played in different positions this season (nothing new).
Rooney is capable of playing in different positions, but at the end of day, he is a forward player. He is there to score goals and occasionally create them. He has 16 goals this season, the same amount as perennial substitute Javier Hernandez.
I do not think Wayne Rooney will want to leave United and I do not think he will leave Old Trafford. However, in football you just never know what is going to happen. Rooney’s performances will have to improve next season though if he does stay at United.
Falcao
United are interested in signing Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao according to Spanish sports newspaper Marca. The Colombian international could leave the Vicente Calderon this summer.
However, it seems that previous interest from Manchester City and Chelsea has dried up. If Wayne Rooney leaves then United would need a replacement for the England international and it seems Falcao could be that replacement.
Falcao is a completely different sort of player to Rooney though. He is the ultimate number nine, an out-and-out striker. A partnership of Robin van Persie and Falcao would be a dream one in my book.
The player himself and Sir Alex Ferguson have denied the story, but like with the story about Rooney I would not rule anything out.
Wingers
One thing that has stood out about United this season is the fact that wingers Nani, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia have not been at their best. All three have spent periods of the season sidelined through injury.
Young has yet to find the net this season, Valencia scored his first goal in last night’s draw and Nani has scored three times. Maybe I am being harsh on the trio, but United wingers of the past would have given the team far more of a goal scoring threat going forward.
Nani’s future at Old Trafford has been in doubt for a while now. The Portuguese international does have ability, but he blows so hot and cold, one minute he can be a match winner and the next a liability.
Italian side Juventus are reportedly interested in signing the winger and I can see United boss Sir Alex Ferguson letting him leave United this summer.
Ashley Young seems to have endured a nightmare year or so. His performances for England at the European Championships last year were poor and since then he has suffered a dip in form and injury problems.
There has also been speculation that Young could leave Old Trafford this summer. However, this just seems like paper talk and the England international will most likely still be at United next season.
Antonio Valencia has started more games than the other two wingers have, but has not quite hit top form. Injury problems have not helped him either. Valencia is one of my favourite United players. He will have to up his game if he wants to stay in the United team next season though.
The trio’s lack of form and availability has led to Wayne Rooney and fellow striker Danny Welbeck playing on the wings at times for United this season.
Midfield
The midfield has been a long-term problem for United. The likes of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs can’t go on playing forever and United need re-enforcements, but people have been saying that for a couple of seasons now.
Michael Carrick has been superb for United in the centre of the park this season. He has arguably been United’s best midfielder. Carrick’s England colleague Tom Cleverley has made giant strides forward this season as well.
Japanese playmaker Shinji Kagawa looks like he is settling into the United team nicely, after enduring a difficult start to his United career due to injuries.
United could still do with another central midfielder though. United were expected to sign another central midfielder last summer, but instead signed Van Persie. Maybe this summer United will bring in a top class midfielder.
Attitude
I have to admit I have not been that impressed with Manchester United’s style of play this season. However, they have somehow managed to stay consistent, despite a number of their players playing below par for much of the season.
Credit must go to Sir Alex Ferguson for instilling such a winning attitude into his squad of players. Granted they have had a bit of luck along the way, such as Van Persie’s goal last night.
As always though you cannot fault United’s work rate, spirit and will to win. Manchester United look set to claim their 20th English league title and I think there are few people that can argue that they fully deserve it.
What will change at Manchester United this summer?
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