sepp your full of c**p.

Serious injuries,being played out of position and off field problems have contributed to Rooney's downfall in the last few years. He's still a very good player and I still believe he can become one of the best in the World but he needs to stay fit for a long time and be played in an attacking,central position if that is to happen.

Apart from the proviso from Scolari that if you want to go far in football you do the opposite of what Pele says, the only people comparing Rooney to him were the usual hyped-up English journos.

On Chambers, he can have his second chance, but it can't be in athletics, because if we go soft on dopers, the sport is dead, and it's dying already (look at the apathy towards the olympics).
The BOA's principled stand has in fact given the sport a real shot in the arm...

I agree with you Fergus, you have to play Rooney in his position which is in the centre of attack. He will then shine and show his true skills to the world. He is a good player but Fergie nds to stop shoving him around different positions. In respect of his defending or lack of defending skill, maybe he should do some defending drills with Rio in training because he cant defend and will always make some bad and dangerous tackles. I don't know about captaining England, think he has a long way to go before he puts on the armband. Beckham did well and improved his behaviour on the pitch but Rooney is far more agressive and bad tempered on the pitch than Beckham was.

RM doesn't want Rooney because they know Rooney would never leave United for RM.
Rooney is a real red devil.
Maybe he didn't scored but those goals (most of them) came because of him.

it is not only Rooney that is grossly overrated, comparing a raw talent with Maradona and Pele is for me a taboo which has lived with the poor fela ever since.

I couldn't agree more on the comment about Dwain Chambers. If people are not given another chance in life especially, when they have evidently rejected their past, then we might as well start a revolution in building more prisons.

Pele would not be talking about Rooney if he were not a great player. He does so much for the team apart from scoring goals. Look at United's results when Rooney is not playing. He disclinary record is greatly improved.

Please let's stop all this sympathy nonsense for Drwain Chambers. He can go on running anywhere he wants only not at the Olympics what's so bad about that. He knew the risks when he went and took drugs but still did it anyway know he's got to pay the price. His case will act as a deterant to others which is what we all want. Right?

People comment saying Rooney plays out of position most of the time, " The saying jack of all trades master at none", Fergie's still trying to find his best position, er,.....what about in Goal Fergie.

I totally agree Mr Rooney was going to be the greatest ever footballer but fell at the second hurdel lured by bucket fulls of cash and super star status, he could not handle it, we still see the odd flash of what he could have been but they are far and few and getting rearer, no, fast becomeing just another failed ENGLAND player who never lived up to the Hype, be honest if he never played again would we miss him?

I know what you mean Shep. If you follow pub level gossip instead of looking at the facts you might think that.

Firstly, Rooney was more important to united's league record last year than ronaldo. The games united dropped points in where when rooney wasnt there, not ronaldo. Secondly, he hasnt been outshone by an ordinary player, this is someone who has scored more than 40 goals FROM THE WING! I think most would agree that Ryan Giggs is one of the great wingers, but he was lucky to score 10 a season in his pomp. As Cesc Fabregas said at the beginning of the last season 'I was playing just as well last year but now I'm scoring goals everyone notices - it's bizarre'. Goals are great, and capture everyone's attention quite rightly, but they are not everything as Torres has proved - he scored more goals from open play than anyone playing in a real league in europe and won nothing, much to my angst as a liverpool fan.

No, Rooney was critical to united last season, it's just he didnt score a freakish amount of goals like ronaldo. Not something to be slated for surely? His temperament, however, milked by Darth Ferg's 'the world is against us' formenting, is a cause for concern as it has cost England a couple of major championships. Stick to asking why Rooney hasnt matured - could it be the Dark Lord by any chance? He doesnt exactly encourage humility does he?

Rob you have got it spot on - Rooney was developing nicely at Everton and I genuinely think he has never really reached the heights he did in 2004 and he has plainly failed to live up to the hype and expectation that surrounded him in his early football years. Yes there is no doubt he is a 'good' footballer - however to be placed in the same bracket as Pele and Maradonna is a joke.

I also think that Ferguson and United have some part to play in the fact that he has never fulfilled the rich potential he showed in his earlier years. Instead he has become an over aggressive player who's temperament has to be seriously questioned when put under pressure. Rather than rise above it, Rooney often chooses to react in the wrong way. On the international stage when playing for England - he seems to have gone into freefall and I cannot recall him playing a half decent game for England post Euro 2004.

Maybe Capello can do what Ferguson so far has failed to do - and turn the boy wonder into a genuine world class great.

Shepp, 20 goals is not a bad return for a 22 year old player. He could be late peaking like Zidane or Ronaldiho. Clearly the boy has talent and I'm for one happy that he is overshadowed by Ronaldo, as until your article he was being left to it. There is no need to create unnecessary pressure old fruit.

Mr Shepherd you have got it wrong even if madrid wanted rooney he wouldnt go ther is no chance of that happening and all clubs know this everyone knows absolutely no chance of him going antwhere, thats why no one makes a offer because this is where he belongs he knows it too he loves his country and he loves his football. And what ever happened to patience just because he hasnt hit the heights yet it doesnt mean he wont you can see the huge potential in him some people learn faster than others this is fact hes a monster of a player he belongs to british football hes not cristiano ronald, he's wayne''marvel''rooney.

Rooneys still a great player at United , not sure about England yet though ?

Hugh.

As in Sepp Blatter ? I quite agree old chap.

Tracey :

It was Eriksson who made the Pele comparison when first called him up for England at 17.

Re : Chambers A second chance should mean a second chance........as he found with rugby league you can't just switch sports.

Rooney doesnt live up to his hype and shepp has nailed it I think. He is a striker that doesnt score goals with the best midfield in europe playing behind him what would he do with a team like blackburn no offence? But he has a great long shot and is good linking play and tackling why not play him in scholses role perfect for him because rooney is not an out an out goal scorer corners free kicks in his own half rooney defends them so keep from the front line of attack and i think you have a got a perfect role for him. But hay what do i know.

Fergus made some good points but I didn't go as far as to suggest Rooney has suffered a "downfall".....he just hasn't fulfilled the potential or expectations.

Zack make a good point about Rooney as a provider but even Capoello is saying he needs to score more goals.

Ben,

Take your point but he did serve a ban as Rio Ferdinand did for missing a test ....but he's not barred from World Cup's etc is he ?

Andrew,

Very well put mate. Yes I agree goals aren't the be all and all with Rooney because as you so rightly point out he does make a massive contribution in other areas.
But clearly as you seem to conclude he is not now the player so many thought or hoped he would be and maybe you have hit the nail on the head just why regarding Fergie's attitude.
PS : Any ideas for next week's column ?

Geoff Riches;

That is precisely my fear.

Cude,
Yes still time for Rooney to move up a notch. Let's hope so, eh ? Trouble is he's enjoyed superstar status for so long he probably thinks he's up there in the same lass as Zidane or Ronaldinho

Cheers Pete, yes lets hope Capello can do the business.

Nezir,

Admire you patriotism but dodn't forget even baked bean loving Welshman Ian Rush was once tempted to play abroad in Italy

Dave Best might well have solved it. Rooney in the Scholes role ? A good idea

im an arsenal fan and convinced that england best player is steven gerard.but about rooney i think hes a genius the problem is that the expectations were huge from a hole a nation at his age its a lot of pressure.for example france best player ever is zidane at rooneys age he was yet to shine so i say go easy with the lad let him do what he does best im sure he can do better than ronalgo

Rob

I want to take you back to Luxembourg England Game under Glen Hoddle

We met after game as I was in a wheelchair sat infront of you Press boys.

You asked me what I thought of the game and I said 'inept'

You liked that comment so much you put it in your piece next day

I have continued to watch England games as I am a true football fan - no matter how bad it gets

However the England team doesn't seem to have got any better

Still inept

Has the mighty dollar taken over and that along with a loss of English identity meant that we will never achieve again due to lack of desire at International level - the only level a true fan can afford to watch (just)

Discuss !!

Best Wishes

Tony Walker

i disagree with comment earlier about rooney being more important then ronaldo..

rooney just doesnt score enough goals for a striker..
dont get me wrong he isnt a bad signing and what alot of clubs would love to have ...

but i definatley agree with shep on this one no one seems to be botherd about roo any more doesnt that tell you something??..

lets see what happens next season

danny (stoke fan)

If Rooney had signed for Newcastle from Everton, After Euro 2004 he would've been a far better player now, he would have benefitted from learning from Shearer and would've been returning 30+ prem goals and formed lethal partnerships with Owen/Martins after Shearer. Fergie has helped him develope as a player but shearer would've taught him how to score goals!! Because Shearer knew more about scoring goals than Fergie.

Newcastle...

LOL.

No player is doing themselves favours by moving there. One game without scoring and Rooney would have been getting the boos.

Rooney for me is more important to man utds future success then ronaldo he does so much for the teams all round play he doesnt score as many as he sud but he still gets 20 and i also think he is a big game player who always produces against the big 4 he still has a lot to learn but i think at the age of 22 he is brilliant

I think Rooney is only lacking ambition. At 16 everyone wanted him, he's now at the highest level, now what? He's done it all, you can still see he has the ability to do what he used to, by the quality of his rare goals, but in a team full with so much potential he's not always in the spotlight, which i think causes him to lack any motivation.

The best thing for Rooney now in my opinion is for him to be transfered to a smaller club. But of course Alex Ferguson will not sell him because he'll be a better player somewhere else. He knows Rooney's potential and will work on getting the best out of him.

Disagree with the played out of position comments, the player (If he is world class) should be able to cope with it, look at Stevie G who's been played out of position for years but has single handedly got us in to europe and won finals.

Agree with the writer on everything he said

i think wayne rooney is not a striker he is a mid- field player who is very over rated, aggressive,foulmouth a wantabe who loves himself far to much. someone said earlier that he loves manu and would never leave, but the same thing was said about Everton.yes he will score a few goal each season and that is about all as he will never be in the same categore as Beckhan,garrard,owen let alone being anywhere near the likes of Pele or Marodonna

Hi Rob, i think you are spot on, i have never agreed with any of the hype concerning the boy blunder, when he signed for utd and all the pundits, Hanson, Lawrenson etc were all jumping on the bandwagon as to how good he is, all i could see was an average player with to much agression, i used to and still do get amazed at how many times he loses the ball and gives away possession for his team, i dont have any access to stats on the player but i would love to see his stats as to how many missed placed passes or how many times he loses possession, it most deffinately wont be very good im sure of that. ok he will show us how good he can strike a ball and score a 25/30 yarder every now and then, but i would expect that of any professional footballer who has got to that level and played the game all his life. He has for the past few seasons lived on the shirt tail of Ronaldo who has carried all the team. All in all utd payed a lot of money for pottential which hasn't been delivered as far as i am concerned

Let's be totally straight from the off.....you wax lyrical about pele...in footballing terms, he wouldn't have laced Maradonas boots.....for the record out of 200 manangers 4 years ago they voted Van Basten as their prefered striker so please don't try to educate me o football.... My grand mother would have scored in those Brazil teams especially the 70 one....so don't get it out of perspective...like most people do with nostalgia!!! Maradona won titles and world cups by himself, so if the comments were from him, they'd carry a little more weight...

Anyway back to the point, I'm a season ticket holder so watch more Utd games than you, and can tell you there isn't a gulf between Rooney and Ronaldo.....TRUST ME!!!

I like the comments from opposing fans on here.....hold your hands up and say he wouldn't walk into any of their teams...haha...this is laughable!!! well see you soon sunshine....and I'll be a little more ellegant in conveying why rooney will take this season by storm......lots of manc love James

I think it was Man U's strategy (like Sir Alex said)to sacrifice Rooney in the last seasons.Rooney was the 'wild card' since everybody was expecting the 'wonder boy' to deliver other players did.It is a very good strategy,let's admit it,to sacrifice a striker so he will keep a few defenders busy so others can score.If that's case,and I think it is ( the team lost games without him),makes Rooney one of the best players on the planet.

i truly believe with what Rob Shep has to say about Rooney, he hasn't been as good this season as he was last season or the season before that, this is becaus when Ferguson plays him, he plays Rooney out of position. he swaps Ronaldo around with him, Ronaldo strives off not being in the right position, whereas rooney doesn't. with where Fergie has positioned Rooney in most of the games he has participated in he has been playing off Ronaldo, which i think makes Rooney think he can take his foot off the pedal a little bit.

Lots of MAN U love Roxanne x

If Sir Alex had not paid £26+ mil Rooney would have been on his way by now. When you pay £26 mil you have to keep playing him somewhere or admit you got it wrong. What is Rooney worth today? Shep is right, who is fighting to sign him? I wish Sir Alex had signed Torres when he had the chance. He took Spain all the way to the final and won Euro 2008. Imagine him with Tevez and Ronaldo? Unbeatable. Let Rooney go for whatever we can get and move on.

I agree with Rob, but I don't blame Rooney. He plays his best football behind a centre forward which he did in his first couple of seasons for utd and scored some amazing goals too, but these past couple of years Fergie been playing him out of position far too often, especially in Europe which has led to his dip in form. Even though I think Tevez is a good player I don't believe he is the best partner for Rooney as he needs a someone who can hold the ball up and play off of and then we will see him back to his best. At the moment Fergie's just sacrificing England's best talent for the good of the team, which I can understand for a few games a season, not all of it.

Pele? Maradona? Let's get real here; Rooney has bitten the apple marked celebrity and gone rotten to the core. I don't know about anybody else, but i for one, find coverage of him globetrotting the round the world, chainsmoking and drinking himself into oblivion obscene. This is a man whose supporters would remortgage their house to see play. Yes, he has the justification of 'celebrating' his wedding - good luck to him - but come on, the guy is meant to be an athlete. I rejoiced when, as a teenager he scored that goal against Arsenal. Unfortunately, since, he has rested on his wilting laurels and at 22. appears now, at least a decade older. Hype over substance yet again.

i still believe hes got wat it takes. just cool it with the temper dude.

Rooney's contribution to utd's success was very visible in games he missed. He is one of the best players in the world. Go ask Ronaldo, why he was outshined at EURO 2008? Maybe what you mean to say is that Rooney should be more selfish, but will that help the team. He is a better player than Ronaldo and we love him so much and will not be sold for all the money in the world.