5 Things We Learned vs Chelsea: Rooney Shines At Old Trafford

United Fans Help Make Up Rooney’s Mind For Him

It was reported that Wayne Rooney was worried about the reception he would receive from Manchester United fans after it was revealed that he wanted to leave Old Trafford this summer. Some papers even claimed that he would use any negative reaction as excuse to walk away from the club after 9 years.

But United fans didn’t give him the chance.

Last week at Swansea, he had his name chanted but our away support is always brilliant so the real test would come at Old Trafford, but again United fans showed their class.

Rooney got the loudest cheer of the evening when his name was announced at the start of the night and his name was sang (even when he gave the ball away strangely) all night.

Mourinho summed things up post game:

‘This club must be a very special club because at every club in the world, when the player wants to leave they don’t support him.

‘When a player wants to leave they give him a hard time but (here) they support him all the way so I think this is a real special club with special fans so he decides that he wants to stay.’

Rooney will have no excuse if he still wants to leave now.

Wayne Rooney Proves He Is A ‘United Player’

Hands up! Today I said Wayne Rooney shouldn’t play against Chelsea, reason being that in emotionally charged situations he doesn’t deal with the pressure.

Tonight in light of interest from Chelsea, he stood head and shoulders above everyone on the pitch but strangely saw the man of the match award go to John Terry.

Prior to kick-off, David Moyes said of Rooney:

“He’s a Manchester United player, and he’s going to prove that today.”

And although one performance doesn’t make up for everything, he went some way to make up for everything that’s gone on before.

He hustled and bustled at both ends of the field, and his night was encapsulated in an encounter with Ramires late on. With the Brazilian bursting forward Rooney tracked him, slid in and took the ball from the Brazilian before he could put the ball into the box.

It looks like Rooney will be staying, and if he can make tonight’s performance his standard then fans (those who are unhappy with him) will find it easier to accept him.

Decisions, decisions!

No United fans were too keen when it was announced Martin Atkinson would be in charge of today’s game and he showed just why with a number of mystifying decisions.

Penalties, dodgy challenges etc there were a number of decisions that were questionable but none more so than a quick succession of handballs in the second half that smacked of Atkinson trying to save his skin.

Frank Lampard charged down a shot in the Chelsea box with his arm clearly away from his body, the ball struck the offending arm yet no penalty was give. Then moments later, as if trying to balance his account, Atkinson blew for a supposed handball against Oscar, even though the Brazilian had his hands behind his back.

As David Moyes said post game, we need clear rules on this because for the second week in a row Chelsea have appear to have gotten away with the same offence red handed!

Wasted Opportunity?

Whilst only the second game of the season, I don’t think I’m alone in thinking this was a missed opportunity as Chelsea were toothless for large parts of the game due to Mourinho’s negative tactics.

Starting with no recognised striker as well as the suspect pairing of Terry and Cahill left many United fans feeling that we could take 3 points, but we spurned that chance due to poor finishing and lax play in the final 3rd.

Despite his brace last week, Danny Welbeck was guilty of a horrendous miss, firing high and wide when it was easier to hit the target.

Jose Mourinho said the sides were equal but I think Moyes got it right when he said United had the better chances, and I’m worried Jose won’t be as generous when we roll up to Stamford Bridge later on in the season.

We Got The Right Man

5-5-0? Amidst rumours that Jose was trying to send a message to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich about their need for a striker, the way Chelsea lined up tonight will make the most sceptical fan begin to change their mind on Manchester United’s managerial appointment.

With 3 strikers on field, Manchester United went for the game and were unlucky not to take 3 points whilst Chelsea left their strikers on the bench. He may have thought he being clever starting with no recognised striker, but Mourinho came across as negative against us, something that is a cardinal sin at United.

I don’t think anyone would disagree that Chelsea at times looked like they were playing for a point and it’s pretty annoying that they got away with it.