Blobbynator wrote:
United should've got rid of him when Chelsea offered £30m for him last year, there's no way they'll get that now.
Don't think we ever actually made an offer. Before Fergie left he spoke about Rooney wanting to leave. When Mourinho came he pretty much made it public that we were very interested in him if he was to move. I think it was leaked that Mata wasn't rated by Mourinho and he'd be available.
But Man Utd just stuck their heals in and insisted that there was no way they'd be selling him so I don't think a figure was ever mentioned. Jose then said it was up to Rooney to ask for a transfer if that's what he wanted. Rooney just stayed quiet so he stayed.
Chelsea sold Mata to United for 37m quid in the next transfer window. Given that Man United bumped up Rooney's pay to 300k a week I think Rooney's potential transfer fee would have been around 60m quid. But United didn't want to listen.
I'm not particularly a fan of Rooney. Awesome at times but not often enough and most of his time at United he's been a back up superstar rather than the guy that's really driven the team. But to counter that he also has reached pretty high highs and also the players who he's been supporting have been top drawer. But when Rooney plays for England and he's the main man, he's been distinctly average. His scoring record is okay for England, but mainly against dross. In big games, virtually absent.
But while I'm not convinced about Rooney, I am convinced about Mourinho. And I think if he'd managed to sign Rooney we'd have probably won the league last year and Rooney would have been the conquering hero like RVP was after his first year at Man United.
I think Man United are stuck with an expensive problem in Rooney that is probably going to age really badly. There are players that can perform well into their 30s. Rooney just doesn't look like one of them.
I think Man United could have spent their way out of their problems. Falcao and Di Maria could carry them back to the top 4 and they might get away with it. Herrara and Rojo could be well targeted signings, I honestly don't know. But IMO Man United have just spent massively in a far more blind and dangerous way than we ever did. Virtually everything they've done since Fergie retired has been pretty much clueless. I doubt it will happen, but they really could be blowing themselves up with the way they're going.
..... Falcao?? - Maybe, but as yet, still unproven.... Could turn out great, could out to be Shevchenko (He was similarly thought of before he joined Chelsea).
