The turn around in Wayne Rooney’s fortunes has been nothing short of remarkable.
A few months ago it seemed he would be on his way out of the club as public enemy number one having questioned the club’s ambitions. In his worst spell at Old Trafford and off the back of a sex scandal that was dominating his personal life Rooney had really alienated himself.
But slowly the striker has begun rebuilding his relationship with the club via renewed commitment on field as well his utterances off field and although he hasn’t won everyone over, the episode in October is becoming an after thought.
Rooney’s performances on field have been superb to say the least. His partnership with Javier Hernandez has been mutually beneficial and he has scored a number of important goals including a hat trick against West Ham in our come from behind win in the league as well as a vital away goal in our 1-0 win over Chelsea in the Champions League quarter final.
With United on the verge of yet another Champions League final, 1968 European Cup winner Paddy Crerand has singled him out for praise and paid him the ultimate compliment by comparing him with United and footbal legend Sir Bobby Charlton:
‘I see a lot of Bobby in Wayne Rooney.
‘Bobby was fantastic and Wayne is terrific too. Bobby always loved to get on the ball all the time and so does Wayne. Great players always want the ball. That’s why clubs pay the most money for them.
‘Bobby was more dangerous from distance. I know Wayne can hit them but Bobby could hit them with either foot, and you wouldn’t know which foot was his best. Was he a natural rightfooter or a natural left-footer? I still don’t really know. But they are the same quality of player.’
