Wayne Rooney’s impressive performance both on and off the pitch on Tuesday for Manchester United has put to bed, at least for now, the summer speculation about his future followed by weeks of early-season uncertainty.
The 27-year-old’s passionate display, where he scored his 199th and 200th club goals in United’s 4-2 Champions League home defeat of Bayer Leverkusen, was echoed in his post-match television interview.
“I’m concentrating on football as I’ve done all summer,”said a defiant Rooney, who was then again asked whether he was happy at Old Trafford.
“I’ve just told you, I’m concentrating on my football,” he snapped back.
“The fans have been brilliant and fantastic with me and it’s great the reception I get, and hopefully I can repay them with goals and performances. To score 200 for United is great for me.”
While Rooney stopped short of committing, what can be read is that he is only thinking about one thing: playing football and scoring goals, music to manager David Moyes’ ears.
Any ill-feeling the fans may have had towards their man evaporated by the time Rooney had opened the scoring after 22 minutes and chants of his name were audible throughout the game, his 200th being taken in clinical fashion on the break.
While the debate on his future is still wide open, Moyes was in little doubt about Rooney’s stature in the game after he became the fourth United player to reach the 200-goal mark in his 406th outing for the club.
‘He has been great in training, working hard, head down and he looks fit. I said a few months ago that he has a real chance to become one of greats,” said the Scot.
“He has a real chance to be an all-time leading goalscorer. If he keeps playing like he did tonight, then he will get there,” added Moyes.
Bobby Charlton remains United’s leading scorer with 249 from 758 appearances.
Image courtesy of Sky Sports via YouTube , with thanks.
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