Wayne Rooney Report Card: Is the Manchester United Striker Back to His Best?
As Wayne Rooney’s brace against Aston Villa marked his first goals from open play at Old Trafford in 11 months, it brings to an end one of the most contentious issues of the season.
Other strikers would be subject to derision of fans and pundits alike if they endured such a run, but there seems to be an accepting acknowledgment that Rooney will regain his touch.
For a striker who scored 26 league goals last season and is paid nearly a million pounds a month to have just four this time around is embarrassing—and surely the ignominy of being dropped wasn’t far away.
But with all the focus dedicated to the yawning chasm between his goalscoring record between this year and last, just how has the rest of his game been progressing?
Discipline
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While one might expect a goalless Rooney to take out his frustrations on opposing players and officials, he has maintained impressive levels of discipline throughout his tumultuous run.
Accruing just two yellows to date in the league is a respectable record, and one which United hope will be sustained for the remainder of the season.
Verdict: Impressive
Work Rate
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Rooney certainly hasn’t lost his appetite for the game and his huge work rate remains undiminished.
Even when jettisoned out to the left wing for the Blackpool game, he worked hard in tracking runners and coming deep to collect the ball.
Such commitment and professionalism ensures he’s one of the first names on the team sheet even if he isn’t hitting the net with regularity.
Verdict: Undiminished
Attitude
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While it might have been easy to lay the blame at the door of his team mates, Rooney appears to have taken responsibility for his own profligacy.
There’s been no public outbursts or tantrums thrown on the field.
Instead, Rooney works hard to try and regain his Midas touch.
Verdict: Laudable
Finishing
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The less said the better here, although there were signs last night that he may be returning to his lethal best.
It's long overdue as a 285 minutes/goal rate isn’t sufficient for a £200,000 a week striker.
Four goals from 50 shots is a worrying statistic, but hopefully with his Old Trafford duck broken Rooney will return to form for the most important part of the season.
Verdict: Insufficient
Link Play
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One aspect that seems to have improved this season is Rooney's link play.
Always a creative player, this season has seen him augment his link play further and he now boasts 10 assists in the Premier League this season, only Nani has more.
It’s a remarkable record, and it's contributed handsomely to Dimitar Berbatov’s goalscoring exploits.
All of the Bulgarian’s big hauls have come with Rooney on the pitch.
Verdict: Awesome
Overall
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Overall, the report card reads like the vast majority I received during my school days: "Must do better."
Last night was encouraging, as is his overall contribution to the side but Rooney needs to regain his goalscoring touch.
The next month is crucial.
A Champions League engagement versus Marseille is sandwiched by league encounters with Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.
If Rooney's goals can preserve United's unbeaten beyond this then his barren run will be long forgotten and the club will see some return on their substantial investment.
Verdict: Must do better
