Reds play down Rooney hopes

November 20, 2007

SIDELINED: Rooney in action against Dynamo Kiev's Pape Diakhate

UNITED have scotched reports that Wayne Rooney has returned to training.

Rooney suffered an ankle injury in a training-ground accident a fortnight ago and was immediately ruled out for four weeks by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

It was not expected the England forward would figure again for the Reds until the crunch Premier League visit to Liverpool on December 16.

However, reports emerged overnight that the 22-year-old had been given the green light to start training again - way ahead of schedule - and could even be involved in Saturday's Barclays Premier League trip to Bolton, where he scored a hat-trick last season.

The news has come as a surprise to United officials, who felt Rooney was still some way off a comeback.

Sources inside Old Trafford have confirmed Rooney is still undergoing treatment and has not resumed training.

It leaves Ferguson with the same striking conundrum for the Reebok Stadium visit - because Carlos Tevez is not due back from World Cup duty with Argentina until Friday morning, while Louis Saha's fitness has not exactly been something United have been able to rely upon this season.

What should Fergie do? Have your say.

| Submit Comments | Comments (30) |

Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All

Jesse Cole (20/11/2007 at 13:22)

I'd be happy With Saha up front and Ronaldo playing in the hole. Nani and Giggs on the wings with Anderson and Hargreaves in the middle. We may have Vidic for the weekend if Portugal (who only need a draw to qualify with Poland) avoid defeat in mid-week, so I see no major changes to the back four, if need be we can partner Gerard with Rio.

Jlive1 (20/11/2007 at 13:22)

Nani, Anderson , Hargreaves Giggs in the middle, Ronaldo and Saha up front if Tevez can't make it back in time, just move"em all about, Wanders won't stand a chance

Alias Smith, over the moon (20/11/2007 at 13:31)

Good shout to those who have suggested Ronaldo and Saha up front - that's a combo with power, pace and buckets of ability that would have any defence on the back foot from the off. Nani can play at right wing, Giggs on the left.

If United say Hargreaves can't play 2 games in a week, presumably he won't be in contention for the weekend if England play him tomorrow?

Jlive1 (20/11/2007 at 13:37)

Just an ask, will Neville EVER play again????

Duncan, London (20/11/2007 at 14:13)

I would like to see Anderson play in the hole, Ronaldo and Nani/Giggs either side, Saha up front. Carrick and Hargeaves in mid. I think Anderson with his passing ability and quick feet and strength on the ball is a better bet than Ronaldo in this position. It restricts him too much.

Jesse Cole (20/11/2007 at 15:29)

Duncan, London, I'd have to disagree. Our attacks are usually built from the heart of the midfield, Anderson's distribution is a key component and I think it'd be limited in effectively a 4-5-1, especially if he's playing behind a striker. Carrick's already proven he can cover this role but what he has in distribution he lacks in defensive aggression and our midfield solidarity could be compromised as a result.

george (20/11/2007 at 15:48)

Wayne is so enthusiastic to play football he'll be trying to cure himself as fast as pos.
So many team premutations now.The names change but the strength of the team remains the same.Saha/Ronaldo up front offside offside offside! We could try it.

Barry Lee, USA (20/11/2007 at 16:04)

Saha and Ronaldo up front, midfield of Carrick, Hargreaves, Nana and Anderson. Tevez to play some part if available.

parasyte (20/11/2007 at 16:08)

i was thinking
since wenger can transform henry from a winger to a striker, why not fergie do the same to ronaldo?

COLIN, CANADA, Canada (20/11/2007 at 16:11)

I'm with Duncan on this one. Hargreaves and Carrick in mid field give us a pretty solid midfield pairing. Ronny is lost up front and he is needed on the wing along with Nani who gets more confident as time goes on. Play Anderson just behind Saha and we should be more than a handfull for Bolton.
Anybody any thought on how I could get a ticket for late Feb early March. I'll be in the UK for 10 days and would like to catch a match. I was offered a pair of tickets against City right in the heart of all the "products from a broken home" crowd so passed.

Duncan, London (20/11/2007 at 16:37)

To be honest Giggs has been played in this role when we are short of strikers - I just think Anderson would be more effective because that is where he played for Sporting and it complements his compact play and snappy distribution. I don't see Ronaldo having the same effectiveness in this role as this would restrict his freedom and this would affect his game. Giggs I see as interchangeable with Nani on the left wing. He and Ronaldo can switch wings depending on whether they want to penetrate with traditional wing play or more direct diagonal runs on goal.

Khaleds Uncle (twice removed), Silet, Bangladesh (20/11/2007 at 17:04)

Only one man to play with Saha and only one reason. Ronaldo is the man and pace is the reason. Giggs goesn't trouble modern fast, strong centre halves in the slightest.

Bradley (20/11/2007 at 18:23)

How come some want Ronaldo up front? Is best player in the world in his position and does not perform as well when moved up front? United have Saha & Tevez to play as forward pair. I see no reason for that to change apart from injury or the return of Rooney. Kenwyne Jones could possibly be signed at the end of the season to replace Saha or add depth to the squad!!!! Is very good time to be a United supporter. Hopie Rooney will return once he's fit and not be rushed back...

Roy (20/11/2007 at 18:30)

Interesting suggestion, Duncan, and well worth a try even if for part of the match.

I'm glad the internationals are about to be out of the way. I feel this is the fourth time this season is starting.

Red Rob (West Lower) (20/11/2007 at 20:03)

It's clear - we MUST buy a striker in January

Justin The Great, manchester (20/11/2007 at 20:38)

shame about rooney's injury eh?! lets just hope saha doesnt buckle up again!! we will be doomed without him! i agree with duncan, give anderson a go playing just behind saha with a RG, MC, OH, CR midfield...

another option would be giggs playing behind saha, with nani, anderson, carrick, ronaldo in midfield. I think saf will go for this option and replace giggs with Tevez at some stage....

Wunderkid (20/11/2007 at 23:51)

Colin, Canada - "Ronnie is lost up front." What? He started at Sporting Lisbon AS A STRIKER! He played as a striker against Wigan and scored.

Wunderkid (20/11/2007 at 23:55)

As for Anderson he was pretty much exclusively a striker and an "in the hole" creator at Porto but Fergie has adapted him really well into central mid-field.

george (21/11/2007 at 12:06)

Colin Canada;I tend to agree.I don't think Ronaldo would be lost but I don't think he'd enjoy his game as much.He's too mobile to stand around hoping the ball arrives.
Giggs might be used up top to save his legs and the rest are mobile enought to pop up in the centre forward position.The front six don't seem to have a fixed position.It's a kind of revolver system.If you find yourself in the chamber...SHOOT.

Balders, Tier 2 Stretford (21/11/2007 at 12:52)

Wunderkid... scoring as a striker against a side all ready beaten (wigan) is different to starting there in an away game at bolton. v Wigan, the space they gave us in the second half... i could have played striker! Sure, let him have a few more gaves at home lreaning whats required of that role (in the EPL) and let players play in their best positions !!
i've said this a million times before. Think of all the folk who (& rightly) have moaned on here about Smith & JoS in CM, Fletch RM, Roon LM .... & now we want to shove Ron up front at 'Bolton long Ball' of all places !!

Let him destroy them from the flanks ! happy days!

Birdy, Ireland (21/11/2007 at 12:56)

I like the revolver comparison George! I agree regarding Ronaldo. I dont doubt that he could do a good job up front, but he's better coming from wide and deep areas. I just think he's crucial to the way we play, breaking quickly at pace and putting defenders on the back foot. If he's stood up front he cant do this, and if he is put up front he's also likely to drift out and leave us with 1 up front. It aint broke with him on the wing so no need to fix it. Depending on when Tevez returns from South America, himself and Saha should start

TMUF, Manchester (21/11/2007 at 13:07)

I say play Ronaldo on the wing not because h isn't able to play upfront(infact I think he would be brilliant!) but because there is noone who could create and score the amount of goals as he does from the wing. Therefore it makes senses to have 2 strikers as well offering that threat.

Iben Wong (21/11/2007 at 14:47)

Best part of all this: Tevez has a brief appearance against Columbia, and Saha needs games and plays much better when the club depends upon him to deliver, IMHO. Rooney should rest a bit. We have the stiking power to cope with Bolton, it's in the midfield and defense where the battles must be won...they are always a cagey and scrappy side.

Lee , Heywood, Heywood (21/11/2007 at 16:15)

Firstly I wouldnt play Ronaldo as a lead the line striker. However he plays very much as a support forward anyway and is the best player at the club at running into space and getting onto the end of crosses. His disire to get on the end of a cross is what sets him apart from other wide players and a lot of genuine centre forwards and this is the reason he is now scoring 20+ a season. I wouldnt move Ronaldo because I dont see the need to do so however if needs must it wouldnt be beyond his capabilities.

COLIN, CANADA, Canada (21/11/2007 at 16:52)

Khaled's uncle(should be removed) I believe Anderson has pace and power to burn and could play very well behind Saha leaving Ronny in his natural position. Ronaldo wasn't particularly impressive for Portugal in the striking role last week but Veloso impresses me every time I see him.

()

Report

Manchester United