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Rooney stepping into Ronaldo’s shoes very nicely.

Published by Ian John on January 25, 2010

While there are things to be worried about at Old Trafford, mainly to do with finance, there is one thing that all Manchester United fans can be more than happy with and that is the form of striker Wayne Rooney at the moment.

When Cristiano Ronaldo left for the Bernebeu in the summer, there was a huge void at Old Trafford. Creativitiy, pace, drive, not to mention goals, would all be missed and it was certainly too much to expect Luis Antonio Valencia to come in and provide all of those alone. The onus was on Wayne Rooney to step up and take on some of that responsibility and he has done so quite magnificently.

His four goal haul at the weekend against Hull saw him rack up his 19th league goal of the season, in just 22 league games. He is now five goals clear of the next nearest player in the race to become the Premier League’s leading goalscorer. To put that in perspective, he has scored the same number of league goals already this season as Nicolas Anelka, who was the Premier League’s leading scorer last season, scored in the entire campaign and Rooney, barring injury or suspension, still has a further 16 games to play.

However it is not just the goals that have seen Rooney fill the void left by Ronaldo’s departure. He is now becoming what he had always threatened to be ever since he joined the club. The talisman of the team. He may not wear the captain’s armband, but it is Rooney that drives the team on. It is his workrate, total refusal to accept anything less than victory and his overall attitude to the game that acts as a catalyst for most of Manchester United’s best play.

As a result, it’s not difficult to see why Real Madrid and Barcelona are both being linked in the British press with an £80m move for the striker. Especially if Manchester United fail to match his current wage demands as the talks between Rooney and the club over a new contract continue.

But the question is really not can Manchester United afford to keep Wayne Rooney, but can they afford to lose him?

Even for £80m, you would be hard put to find a player who has a similar impact on a team. Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo perhaps, Steven Gerrard at his best, Fabregas is emerging as a world class talent too this season, but none of them offer the same package as Rooney. They are different players with different skills and United would have to buy at least two players of this quality to cover for Rooney if he left the club.

Not that he ever would, with Sir Alex Ferguson in charge.

Rooney’s performances this season have single-handedly at times, kept Manchester United in touch at the top of the Premiership. He is still far from the finished article too, which is a frightening thought and it is is more than likely Manchester United will stump up the cash needed to keep him. Anything less would be foolhardy.

Especially when you consider they found the perfect replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo already at their club, without having to spend a penny of the £80m transfer fee.

Image Courtesy of ***samalmarr*** on flickr.com

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