No Player Is Bigger Than The Club: Forget Ronaldo, Viva Wayne Rooney!

In fact, Rooney probably thinks Paris Hilton is where Patrice Evra takes his family on holiday. His discipline is improving on the pitch, as seen in only 12 fouls and two cautions in 13 Champions League games last season.

Rooney's maturation is reflected off the field. Early fears about his lifestyle, about heading down the Gazza path, have proven unfounded. As a personality, he seems remarkably down to earth, leaving premieres and "It-girls" to the likes of Ronaldo.

Wayne Rooney is every bit the professional.

There had been a general tiring with Ronaldo's antics, following the flirtation with Madrid last year and certain tracksuit-chucking stunts this year. And since the previous summer's shenanigans, people have adapted the thought that "we better include him or he'll sulk."

Fergie know's when a player is unsettled and the kind of negative influence they have on the dressing room. Manchester United is a machine. No matter how much pressure is applied, the team just seems to get better, and will continue to do so even after this.

There's no chance of them throwing the title away next season before a ball has even been kicked. They've lost two big players, but come on, in all honesty—was United really a two man team last year?

No club or supporter will tolerate that nonsense from any journalist, regardless of how talented or respected they are. The ethos of Manchester United will be stronger without Ronaldo. The show-man has gone, but the show goes on.

If United can just get Dimitar Berbatov tucked in to work as he did with Robbie Keane at Spurs, then that's half the battle.

Of course, there are concerns as to what the tactics and players they would need to accommodate that. But the good few Internet forums that are informed and knowledgeable about football are suggesting that 'this is Rooney's moment'—and I agree.

Tevez scored five league goals last season—that's not a striker's contribution!

Many will say he wasn't played that often, but the statistics are crystal clear. He played more minutes than Berbatov, Rooney and Ronaldo. It's the end of an era, but there is always life after, as countless quality players have come and gone at United.

My interests lay in who will be next to receive the infamous #7 shirt.

It's a prized piece of history, as the wearers have always struck the question, "How can they be replaced after their departure?"—Georgie Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.

I'm absolutely convinced that Alex Ferguson knows what he's doing. He's the best in the world—that's why he is at Manchester United, so people need to get behind him and the team.

No player is bigger than the club. Messi is not bigger than Barcelona and Ronaldo was certainly not bigger than Manchester United.

Viva Rooney. Roll on next season.

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