Tag Archives: Rooney

City set for titanic Rooney bid

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Manchester City (11/2 – Premier League Outright 2010/11) have admitted they are interested in Wayne Rooney and will monitor his situation closely after Sir Alex Ferguson revealed his star striker has asked for a move from Manchester United.

The mega-rich Manchester club are believed to be the favourites to sign the 24-year-old whose agent told United chief executive David Gill he would not be extending his contract at Old Trafford this summer (Man Utd 4/1 – Premier League Outright 2010/11).

Reds manager Sir Alex Ferguson kept the news in-house in the hope that the player might undergo a change of heart, but has now been forced to go public after a week of speculation leading up to Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Bursaspor.

Rooney, who memorably scored a hat-trick against another Turkish outfit – Fenerbahce – in 2004, will not be in United’s line-up this week after Ferguson declared he has an ankle injury.

“It was terribly disappointing that he wanted to leave. We just couldn’t understand it,” said the Scottish boss.

“We have to keep the door open because he is such a good player.

“We have done nothing but help him since he came to this club, that is why this is such a mystery to us. We’ve helped him with his private life and other matters.

“So we’re as bemused as anyone can be because we can’t understand why he would want to leave a club that is successful as we are in British football.”

City, who have ambitions to become the biggest club in world football, are the obvious candidates to make the highest bid (Man City Multiple Trophies).

They have links to Rooney’s agent, Paul Stretford, through the player’s sponsor Nike and an unnamed official has already spoken about the situation across the city.

“We hadn’t discussed signing Rooney until the last week because we never thought he would be available, just like we have never discussed signing Lionel Messi from Barcelona,” they told the Guardian.

“Now we know he wants to leave United we’re obviously going to monitor it closely.”

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Rooney targets scoring spree

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Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has managed to score just once in the current campaign but the England international is confident his form will improve soon (United 16/5 – Premier League outright).

Rooney’s off-field problems have been well documented of late, while his form and fitness have also been questioned but the striker is keen to get back amongst the goals and is certain his luck will change soon.

“You just have to keep working hard. I know I’ve been through this before and once one goal goes in, I am sure I will get more,” said Rooney. “If you don’t score, and you have chances, you are disappointed. I want to score but I have got a lot of games left in the season. I am sure this run without scoring will end soon.

“I don’t do anything different. I train as hard as I can every time I train and I do extra training every day and I’ve done that since I was a young boy.

“I’ll keep doing my training and I’m sure the goals will come.”

The 24-year-old has also struggled in front of goal on the international stage and has not scored for England since before the World Cup in South Africa.

The United star could not make an impact in the goalless draw with Montenegro on Tuesday but club and country team-mate Rio Ferdinand feels Rooney will rediscover his form soon and is confident he will be back to his best for both United and England before too long (England 8/1 – Euro 2012 outright).

“I think Wayne put in a good shift (against Montenegro). Sometimes with strikers you just need that little bit of luck in front of goal,” said Ferdinand.

“The ball didn’t really fall for any of our strikers to get a clean chance so to pick out ‘Wazza’ would not be fair.

“The ball just didn’t drop for us in their box. ‘Wazza’ is a great player but we can’t be too reliant on him.”

United face West Brom on Saturday as they look to continue their battle for the Premier League title, with Ferdinand and Rooney both expected to feature against the Baggies (Match Betting – United 2/9, draw 9/2, WBA 11/1).

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Capello backing Rooney to shine

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England boss Fabio Capello believes Wayne Rooney is both physically and mentally ready to make a big impact on Tuesday night’s Euro 2012 clash with Montenegro (England 1/5 to beat Montenegro).

The 24-year-old striker had been a doubt for England’s third match in Group G after picking up an ankle injury but the former Everton man has made a speedy recovery and is set to partner Peter Crouch in attack at Wembley, after Darren Bent was ruled out of the match with a groin injury.

Rooney failed to spark at last summer’s World Cup and has yet to hit the heights for Manchester United this term, with allegations about his private life seemingly affecting his performances and overall state of mind.

But he has been training well with the England squad and the boss believes that his body and mind are now both pulling in the right direction for the vital clash with the surprise leaders of the qualifying group.

“I spoke with Sir Alex who told me, when I decided the squad, that Rooney would be fit because the ankle problem was not so big,” Capello said.

“I spoke with Rooney about the situation, his situation. I monitored him during the training and he trained perfectly, really well.

“He’s focused on the game. He’s happy. He’s smiling a lot. He’s in a good moment, better than he was when we played against Switzerland.”

An England victory would see them take over top spot from the Balkans outfit on goal difference and open up a sizeable gap back to third place, with any one of Bulgaria, Wales or Switzerland possibly sitting in third spot depending on Tuesday’s results (England 1/25 to qualify for Euro 2012).

It appears as though young wingers Adam Johnson and Ashley Young will start for England and try to provide the crosses for Crouch to feed off, and Capello is unconcerned about their lack of playing time at the top level.

“People say they are inexperienced players but the confidence of Adam is good. He’s played three or four games,” he added.

“Ashley Young has also played very well in a couple of games and done well in a more central role for Aston Villa.”

Rio Ferdinand will captain the side after returning to fitness, with Steven Gerrard returning to the ranks after leading the team with distinction.

Much is expected of the Manchester United defender, who missed the World Cup in South Africa through injury and has only just returned to first-team action at Old Trafford, as John Terry is absent through injury and Phil Jagielka is also missing.

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Capello hopeful on Rooney fitness

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England (9/1 to win the 2012 European Championships) boss Fabio Capello is hoping that Wayne Rooney will be available for selection for his country’s Euro 2012 qualifying match against Montenegro.

The Italian manager believes that off the field revelations about the Manchester United striker’s private life would not affect his decision to select the player.

Rooney’s form for United (11/2 to win the FA Cup) has dipped since his personal life became the centre of media attention as he has only managed to score one goal for the Old Trafford side so far this season.

The former Everton striker picked up an ankle injury in the Red Devils’ Premier League clash with Bolton and will be hoping that he will be fit enough to play for England on October 12.

Capello believes that just playing matches is the best thing that Rooney can do to help him deal with life off the pitch.

He said: “I think at this moment, when you play (if you have private problems) it is better because you are focused on the game and training.

“The games Rooney played in the new position, he played very well. I was very happy. I hope he will be fit for the next game.

“I can speak about the performances for the national team, not about the performances for United,? he added.

Rooney did feature in England’s last European qualifier as they beat Switzerland 3-1, scoring the first goal for the Three Lions.

Capello has stated that he does not think players having problems with money and fame is not a new phenomenon.

He said: Not only now, but before there were the same problems every year – in Italy, Spain and the world.

“It is young people, young men with a lot of money. A lot of money is sometimes one problem, a positive problem. Sometimes.

“Does that make modern management impossible? No. It is private problems. It depends on the people they stay around, the friends.”

Rooney will be hoping to put his off-field problems behind him as he works his way back to fitness.

The 24-year-old should be fit enough to face Montenegro before he goes back to playing for United who will face West Brom in the Premier League.

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Ferguson drops Rooney hint

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes Wayne Rooney could be fit to face Montenegro in England’s Euro 2012 qualifier on October 12 (England 9/1 Euro 2012 outright).

The 24-year-old striker has been struggling with an ankle problem and aggravated the injury during last Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Bolton.

He was substituted just after the hour mark and Ferguson revealed that he would be out of action for at least three weeks, ruling him out of England’s third Euro 2012 qualifier at Wembley.

However, speaking on United’s in-house TV station, MUTV, and on local radio the veteran tactician revealed that the former Everton man is progressing well and could be ready to return for Fabio Capello’s side in under two weeks’ time.

Rooney has struggled so far this term, with Ferguson admitting that tabloid reports about his private life have affected the talented hit-man, and he was left out of the United side that drew 3-3 with Rooney’s former club Everton back on September 11.

He also cut a peripheral figure at last summer’s World Cup in South Africa and failed to make the expected impact during England’s woeful campaign.

England, and Rooney in particular, are still trying to win back the England fans who have become less forgiving after seeing their heroes put in such abject displays last summer.

Two victories from their opening two Euro 2012 qualifiers have gone some way to building a bridge back to the supporters but they will need to put in another improved display against Montenegro, who have also garnered six points from their opening two games in Group G.

The United manager revealed that Rooney was keen to play against Sunderland in Saturday’s Premier League clash at the Stadium of Light but he will not be in the squad as the boss is keen to make sure the injury is 100 per cent before a return to action (United 4/6 to beat Sunderland).

“Wayne trained yesterday and he wants to play tomorrow,” he told local radio station Key103. “But I have to take the view that this injury has been niggling away for a while and he kept on playing.

“I have to be dead sure that I am doing the right thing because Wayne has not been doing himself justice. I think in a week he will be fine. Obviously we don’t play in a week, so it is up to Fabio Capello whether he wants him to.”

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Keegan joins Rooney debate

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The controversy surrounding Wayne Rooney does not seem to be abating as the Manchester United striker continued his poor run of form against Bolton Wanderers on Sunday (Rooney 9/2 to be first goalscorer versus Valencia).

Rooney once again failed to get on the scoresheet as United were held to a 2-2 draw at the Reebok. He was substituted with 30 minutes to go and Michael Owen’s equaliser has only added to the pressure on his place.

United are next in action against Valencia in the Champions League on Wednesday (Valencia 9/5, draw 23/10, United 6/4 – 90 minutes) and Rooney could miss the game with a minor ankle injury. However, there are some who believe that Sir Alex Ferguson should play Owen with the in-form Dimitar Berbatov in Spain anyway.

Rooney has received support from the Bolton manager, Owen Coyle, who admitted the England international is “an absolutely class act”. He went on to admit that United are “very fortunate to have him”.

These comments are in direct contrast to those of former England supremo Kevin Keegan, who has insisted that Rooney cannot blame the press for his recent poor form.

Allegations about his private life are clearly affecting the England star but Keegan believes that his lifestyle choices are not helping the situation. He also said the media scrutiny is par for the course with being such a high-profile figure.

Speaking to ESPN, Keegan expressed: “You can’t have all the contracts, sell your wedding to magazines and things like this, and suddenly say, ‘That’s the tap I want to turn on but we want to turn the other one off’.

“It’s just one tap and I know from when I played that if you are advertising boots and all these things, you have to go and make appearances. You are going to appear in the paper.

“But the one thing I would say is keep your home and your family out of it and just take your endorsements if that’s what you want to do.

“One minute you are courting it, the next minute you’re saying ‘I don’t want this’.”

Last week, Ferguson told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport that he did not believe Rooney was suffering from a confidence problem, a claim refuted by Keegan. He believes that his performance against the Trotters demonstrated that his self-belief has deserted him.

United failed to capitalise on Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester City on Saturday and are now three points behind the league leaders. They have failed to win all three of their away games in the Premier League so far and if they are to challenge for the title, Rooney needs to return to form sooner rather than later.

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Ferguson keeps Rooney counsel

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England and Manchester United striker Wayne RooneyManchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has refused to discuss Wayne Rooney’s personal life in the wake of tabloid allegations ahead of Saturday’s trip to Everton, the striker’s former club (Rooney 21/5 – Enhanced First Goalscorer).

The 24-year-old has turned out for England since Sunday’s claims, but attention is now focused on Rooney’s return to Goodison Park and whether or not Ferguson will take him out of the firing line.

But, predictably and understandably, the Scot has played a straight bat to reporters’ questions over the ins and outs of Rooney’s alleged off-field activities.

Ferguson stated: “Let’s put it to bed straightaway. I am not discussing any of my players’ personal lives.”

Rooney is certain of a hot reception if he does turn out for the Red Devils at Everton and Fergie is wily enough to know that ‘resting’ the hitman would be counter-productive in the long run.

United will definitely be without midfielder Michael Carrick for the game after the midfielder’s long-running battle against an Achilles problem flared up again.

The former West Ham and Spurs star has been forced to undergo a painkilling injection and will miss around a month “at most”, according to Ferguson.

“It has been bothering him for a few weeks now, so we sent him to a specialist in London yesterday and he had an injection,” said Ferguson.

“We are hoping that settles it down. We have been considering what we should do about it. The best thing is to get it treated and out of the road now because everyone in the squad is fit.”

However, United are boosted by the return of centre-half Rio Ferdinand who has not been seen in a United first-team shirt since the end of last season (United 11/8 – To Keep A Clean Sheet).

The defender suffered a knee problem in England’s first training session at the World Cup in South Africa in the summer and so played no part in the tournament.

Ferdinand has been back in reserves action to build up his fitness and could have turned out for the second string again on Thursday night, but Ferguson saw no reason to make him available to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

“He wanted to play but his training performances are so good I didn’t see any point,” added the Old Trafford chief.

“He is in the squad. With three games this week, it is good that he is back in the fold.”

United are in Champions League action on Tuesday night when Ferguson’s former club Rangers make the trip to Old Trafford (United 2/7 – Group C Winner).

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Rooney makes Swiss trip

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England striker Wayne Rooney will be available for selection against Switzerland in Tuesday night’s Euro 2012 qualifier in Basle (Switzerland 10/3, draw 5/2, England 5/6 – 90 minutes).

The Manchester United forward has travelled with the rest of the squad despite strong allegations over his private life being made in the Sunday tabloids.

Speculation suggesting Rooney might pull out has proven to be unfounded and he is set to partner hat-trick Jermain Defoe up front against the notoriously stingy Swiss defence.

Coach Fabio Capello will be delighted to call on Rooney’s services as he looks to take another step towards restoring the feel-good factor around the national side (Rooney 4/1 – First Goalscorer).

The Italian is already without Peter Crouch and Bobby Zamora while Emile Heskey retired from international football after the World Cup.

Capello also has Carlton Cole and Darren Bent at his disposal in Switzerland although both are still feeling their way on to the big stage and their lack of experience would have been a worry without Rooney.

But one player whose lack of experience will not count against him is Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Capello admits he was forced to bring the 23-year-old back down to earth after his debut in a friendly two summers ago which explains his lack of action in South Africa a couple of months ago.

“He probably started to play in the first XI too early,” said Capello. “He started to think ‘I am the best’.

“You have to understand what happens in the mind of the young player. Sometimes it is this. But in two years he has come back.”

Capello added: “He improved a lot last year when he played at Birmingham. That was a really important period for him.

“With any young player, the most important thing is his quality. Now it is really up to him.”

Swizterland drew 0-0 with Australia in a friendly on Friday so Tuesday’s game marks the start of the qualifying campaign and coach Ottmar Hitzfeld insists Rooney remains the danger man (Switzerland 16/5 – To Keep A Clean Sheet against England).

He claimed: “Fabio Capello is not able to leave a player of his class out.

“I am no psychologist but Wayne Rooney is looking sharp and I am sure he will perform well.

“The only reason he didn’t do well in the World Cup was that he was injured beforehand and didn’t have time to make his fitness up in time for the tournament.”

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Rooney set for Switzerland trip

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Wayne Rooney is expected to fly out with the rest of the England squad to Switzerland on Monday, despite allegations about his private life in two tabloid newspapers (England 5/6 to beat Switzerland).

The Manchester United star is in the spotlight after stories in the News of the World and the Sunday Mirror.

But an FA spokesman said that, as things stand, Rooney will be on board when the players head to Basle for their Euro 2012 qualifier.

Rooney had a hand in all three of Jermain Defoe’s goals against Bulgaria on Friday night in the 4-0 win at Wembley, and is expected to start providing he is in the right frame of mind.

The 24-year-old had ended a five-month goal drought in his club’s 3-0 Premier League win over West Ham last week.

If he does not play, Capello has a problem as to who should partner Defoe, with Peter Crouch and Bobby Zamora unfit.

West Ham’s Carlton Cole or Sunderland’s Darren Bent could earn a start against the Bulgarians.

In the absence of the injured Michael Dawson in defence, Capello must decide between West Ham’s Matthew Upson, Everton’s Phil Jagielka or Bolton’s Gary Cahill.

“I have to decide about the position but Cahill is young and has a big future,” said Capello.

“It is good for the players who have not played a lot of games to come into the team when we are doing well. It is not so easy when we are not.”

The England (2/9 to win qualifying group G) manager says Rooney revelled on Friday in a slightly deeper position than he has been used to.

“Rooney was always been given the licence to move around freely but this time he had to come back more and to play in the hole,” said Capello.

“With James Milner left, Theo Walcott on the right and then Adam Johnson later, it was a great position for him.

“It depends on the opponents. If they put one midfielder in front of their back four the position Rooney played is not as easy.

“But in this game, with Defoe running behind the defence I chose it for him.”

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Rooney tipped for golden season

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Punters looking for value in the Premier League 2010-11 Top Goalscorer market should not dismiss Wayne Rooney’s chances of claiming the golden boot (Rooney 5/1 jf – golden boot).

The Manchester United striker made his return to pre-season in the first half of his side’s 7-1 victory over an Airtricity League of Ireland selection on Wednesday and will be determined to bury the disappointment of an abysmal tournament for England at the 2010 World Cup.

The 24-year-old failed to find the net in a summer to forget in South Africa and showed his petulance when confronted with boos at the end of the drab and uninspiring goalless draw against Algeria.

However, seasoned match-going United supporters have history with followers of In-Ger-Lund – dating back to the treatment dished out to the likes of former favourite David Beckham – so Rooney will be guaranteed all the love he needs from the Stretford End.

He may also benefit from a head start if his principal market rival and top marksman from last season, Didier Drogba of Chelsea, misses the start of the new season because of recent groin surgery.

A good indicator will be if manager Carlo Ancelotti decides to wrap the Stamford Bridge star up in cotton wool in the Community Shield.

The Ivory Coast international also failed to sparkle at the World Cup, scoring just one goal, but remains unplayable on his day and will run Rooney close even though he is now the wrong side of 30.

Rooney relished in the role of solo striker for United last season, scoring 24 Premier League goals, and only a spate of minor injury lay-offs at the back end of the domestic campaign prevented him from adding to his impressive tally and United (15/8 Community Shield winners) from possibly breaking bitter rivals Liverpool’s record of 18 domestic titles.

Punters considering Rooney should also note he is likely to retain spot-kick duties for his club.

Fernando Torres is next best at 6/1 but he looked a shadow of himself in South Africa because of injury concerns and while he has made all the right noises about staying at Liverpool, questions have been raised about whether his head may have been turned by his World Cup-winning Spain team-mates.

Robin van Persie will be dangerous if Arsenal (7/1 Premier League outright) can finally deliver on their promise but the fact that he has never managed more than 28 games in a single campaign is reflected in his price of 9/1.

Of the rest, Carlos Tevez is more of a team player and Nicolas Anelka can blow hot and cold.

It could pay to side with Rooney in the search for Premier League goals next season.

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