Manchester United: Wayne Rooney Is Due for Setback

Wayne Rooney is the best scorer in the English Premiere League by a long shot, and he's gotten off to a ridiculous start to the 2011 season. But there is no way he can possibly keep up the pace he's currently on.

Rooney's eight goals are more than most EPL teams have acquired thus far this season. He's been sensational, and there is no denting his talent. Even so, he's bound for a setback. He can't possibly score two goals per game all season long.

It's not as though he's going to be completely shut down, but we could easily see him take a small step backwards when he takes on Chelsea. Contrary to popular belief, Chelsea present the biggest challenge to Manchester United of any team in the EPL.

John Terry and the Chelsea back line aren't going to let Rooney explode for another monster match. That's why it's imperative that other members of the Red Devils take on a more serious role when Rooney falters, which he inevitably will.

And Manchester United have the means to do so. It's not as though Rooney is a one-man show, though it has seemed that way at times. Him not taking over the entire match doesn't necessarily mean that Manchester United will be doomed.

Even so, a setback for Rooney is coming. Every team and every player in the world have ups and down throughout the course of a season. So far for Manchester United and Rooney, it's been all smooth sailing this season.

In the EPL, they can't be expected to cruise past their competition for the entire season. There will come a time when Rooney struggles and that time will come sooner, rather than later. No team or player is perfect, and though many are writing off Chelsea and crowning Manchester United, the Red Devils know better.

They have a huge challenge in front of them, and with the way Rooney has performed, he's going to be accounted for every time he touches the ball—not that teams aren't already doing everything they can to stop him.

—Kyle Vassalo