Wayne Rooney

[Kisho 33]

I think rooney will go for 30 mil or a little less and for that money i think his worth it. Although in the first few games it would probably give me a strange feeling in my stomach watching him lead our line, I'm sure we will get used to it, after all its all about the club and chelsea will be a better team with rooney added, no doubt.

[Special Juan 28,141]

His versatility would work here, he can rotate positions if needed and also giving is a much bigger depth and pool to choose from.

A front four of Hazard, Mata, Oscar and Rooney could be potentially lethal........and Jose too? Wow.

[xPetrCechx 13,570]

SKYSPORTS CLOCKWATCH

Chelsea are favourites to sign Wayne Rooneywith Sky Bet, and David Luiz says he would be happy to see the Manchester United striker move to Stamford Bridge in the summer. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed on Sunday that Rooney had requested a transfer for the second time in his Old Trafford care

[Spike 12,049]

Thes looks likely. Ah cannae say if aam canty your nae abit it.

[The only place to be 11,313]

His versatility would work here, he can rotate positions if needed and also giving is a much bigger depth and pool to choose from.

A front four of Hazard, Mata, Oscar and Rooney could be potentially lethal........and Jose too? Wow.

The versatility is a massive plus in my books. People wanting us to sign Benteke and Lukaku confuse me because they're the same fucking player, whereas Wayne can drop off and create from deep.

If the rumours are true then a front three of Schurrle, Lukaku and Rooney just offers so many variations and each one could get plenty of game time. Then there's obviously Mata, Hazard, Oscar, Moses and possibly Piazon filling the gaps in that front four. There's physicality, pace, height and grace in almost equal measure and more importantly, competition.

[Special Juan 28,141]

The versatility is a massive plus in my books. People wanting us to sign Benteke and Lukaku confuse me because they're the same fucking player, whereas Wayne can drop off and create from deep.

If the rumours are true then a front three of Schurrle, Lukaku and Rooney just offers so many variations and each one could get plenty of game time. Then there's obviously Mata, Hazard, Oscar, Moses and possibly Piazon filling the gaps in that front four. There's physicality, pace, height and grace in almost equal measure and more importantly, competition.

Exactly, and having the ability and option to call for players like Schurlle, Lukaku or even Rooney from the bench is a massive difference from Benayoun and Marin.

Massive summer for us.

[Strike 7,489]

Thes looks likely. Ah cannae say if aam canty your nae abit it.

A week ago, Xabi Alonso looked likely. Now, all the Real Madrid links have gone dead

[Spike 12,049]

A week ago, Xabi Alonso looked likely. Now, all the Real Madrid links have gone dead

The window hasn't started yet...

[Strike 7,489]

The window hasn't started yet...

Yeah and Jose is not a done deal.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Exactly, and having the ability and option to call for players like Schurlle, Lukaku or even Rooney from the bench is a massive difference from Benayoun and Marin.

Massive summer for us.

The lack of depth and ability to change games been the most notable thing this season and you're right about Benayoun and Marin....even Moses hasn't really changed the shape of many games, but Benitez wouldn't do that anyway.

With Mourinho, he's always happy to shake things up. Say we start with this front four

Rooney

Hazard Mata Oscar

But the opposition does what some teams have managed and crowds us out or simply drops deep so passing through them becomes tough. We could easily change to

Lukaku

Hazard Rooney Schurrle

maybe pushing Schurrle into a front two, and dropping Oscar or Mata into the double pivot so that we can play a more direct game.

Talking to United fans, they agree that he looks a little disillusioned and lost. It's hard to criticise Fergie because he's a great manager but I get the sense that Rooney feels a little taken for granted because he's become this guy that will do a job wherever he's put. I think that if Mourinho did get him and said to him 'you're the man, show everyone what a mistake it was to sell you' then he has a monster season.

United fans know that. They don't want to sell him to an English club because he might come back and murder them. He plays best when he's motivated, when he's got that fire and something to prove and I think he's the best signing we could make to help with the development of Hazard (look at how he played with Ronaldo) and also Lukaku (who still gets 20-25 starts a season).

And just to throw in a minor point....the guy shifts football shirts worldwide. It's not a romantic point to make, but financially it helps.

[Strike 7,489]

Exactly, and having the ability and option to call for players like Schurlle, Lukaku or even Rooney from the bench is a massive difference from Benayoun and Marin.

Massive summer for us.

I genuinely thought we strengthened our bench last year. But a combination of daft sales - Meireles and Essien, injuries - Marin and Romeu and poor form of few others meant that only 12-13 players were the core of the team

[Special Juan 28,141]

The lack of depth and ability to change games been the most notable thing this season and you're right about Benayoun and Marin....even Moses hasn't really changed the shape of many games, but Benitez wouldn't do that anyway.

With Mourinho, he's always happy to shake things up. Say we start with this front four

Rooney

Hazard Mata Oscar

But the opposition does what some team have managed and crowds us out or simply drops deep so passing through them becomes tough. We could easily change to

Lukaku

Hazard Rooney Schurrle

maybe pushing Schurrle into a front two, and dropping Oscar or Mata into the double pivot so that we can play a more direct game.

Talking to United fans, they agree that he just looks a little disillusioned and lost. It's hard to criticise Fergie because he's a great manager but I get the sense that Rooney feels a little taken for granted because he's become this guy that will do a job wherever he's put. I think that if Mourinho did get him and said to him 'you're the man, show everyone what a mistake it was to sell you' then he has a monster season.

United fans know that. They don't want to sell him to an English club because he might come back and murder them. He plays best when he's motivated, when he's got that fire and something to prove and I think he's the best signing we could make to help with the development of Hazard (look at how he played with Ronaldo) and also Lukaku (who still gets 20-25 starts a season).

Yep, that second string line up is exactly what I am saying. It will allow us to rest players but still pose a serious attacking threat and that for me is exactly what we have struggled with and as already seen, Hazard and Mata are knackered and with those options this will be less likely the case.

[Pacquiao 1,834]

The versatility is a massive plus in my books. People wanting us to sign Benteke and Lukaku confuse me because they're the same fucking player, whereas Wayne can drop off and create from deep.

If the rumours are true then a front three of Schurrle, Lukaku and Rooney just offers so many variations and each one could get plenty of game time. Then there's obviously Mata, Hazard, Oscar, Moses and possibly Piazon filling the gaps in that front four. There's physicality, pace, height and grace in almost equal measure and more importantly, competition.

no they are not, just because they are big guys doesnt mean they are the same, Benteke is more Drogba like and Lukaku likes to play on the shoulder of the last defender more and is always looking to make runs in behind.

[Special Juan 28,141]

I genuinely thought we strengthened our bench last year. But a combination of daft sales - Meireles and Essien, injuries - Marin and Romeu and poor form of few others meant that only 12-13 players were the core of the team

Essien was poor at his distribution but his presence would of been better than someone like Yossi/Marin IMO.

Alright sending out Lukaku on loan for development but not when you start a season with just two forwards and trying to challenge of every front, that was crazy.

[Strike 7,489]

Essien was poor at his distribution but his presence would of been better than someone like Yossi/Marin IMO.

Alright sending out Lukaku on loan for development but not when you start a season with just two forwards and trying to challenge of every front, that was crazy

He has adapted to a Right-Back role at Madrid which is good because Ivanovic looks comfortable at CB and Azpilicueta can get some rest with Essien playing few games

[The only place to be 11,313]

no they are not, just because they are big guys doesnt mean they are the same, Benteke is more Drogba like and Lukaku likes to play on the shoulder of the last defender more and is always looking to make runs in behind.

I think they're very similar players who can do very similar things in our team. I actually think Lukaku might have a bit more versatility but broadly speaking they're big guys who like to play on the last man but also use their strength to bring other players into the game.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Essien was poor at his distribution but his presence would of been better than someone like Yossi/Marin IMO.

Alright sending out Lukaku on loan for development but not when you start a season with just two forwards and trying to challenge of every front, that was crazy.

This is another point that I was going to expand upon later, but we got very lucky this season in a game of chicken. We had to give players like Lukaku, De Bruyne and Chalobah experience because we hadn't done a good enough job developing players in the past so we did it all in one go (25 players out on loan this season?).

I don't think anyone will ever admit it at the club, but I think this season was a write-off from the start. Call it transition if you want but they stuck with Robbie when they knew they wanted Pep in the summer, and they cut costs EVERYWHERE. Essien's loan, Meireles sale, the lack of investment in January....so long as we got top four then that was enough.

Fortunately it paid off but it was a dangerous game to play and now we're in a very strong position going into next season.

[Special Juan 28,141]

This is another point that I was going to expand upon later, but we got very lucky this season in a game of chicken. We had to give players like Lukaku, De Bruyne and Chalobah experience because we hadn't done a good enough job developing players in the past so we did it all in one go (25 players out on loan this season?).

I don't think anyone will ever admit it at the club, but I think this season was a write-off from the start. Call it transition if you want but they stuck with Robbie when they knew they wanted Pep in the summer, and they cut costs EVERYWHERE. Essien's loan, Meireles sale, the lack of investment in January....so long as we got top four then that was enough.

Fortunately it paid off but it was a dangerous game to play and now we're in a very strong position going into next season.

Agreed, we got some what lucky and looks as thought we have crossed the line. But if, if Jose comes in we need to address some very weak areas in this team and squad. The right signings are needed 100% and the right sales are also needed.

The foundations of getting fourth are now solidly laid, get Jose, get the right signings and BOOM we will be good to go.

[Pacquiao 1,834]

I think they're very similar players who can do very similar things in our team. I actually think Lukaku might have a bit more versatility but broadly speaking they're big guys who like to play on the last man but also use their strength to bring other players into the game.

Benteke is someone who can bully defenders and can be unplayable on his day, Lukaku's hold up play is still very raw when he gets the ball with his back to goal he likes to lay if off as soon as he can so he spin and run in behind, Benteke is much more of a presence up front, when he gets the ball he can hold it up very comfortably and is much better at linking play, Lukaku to me will never be 'Drogba like', i like how Lukaku plays though because he has power and pace and is difficult to stop when he gets going but Benteke for me has so much more potential than any other player to be the next Drogba.

I see them as different types of players both are still developing though and me personally i would love to have both in our squad!

[The only place to be 11,313]

Benteke is someone who can bully defenders and can be unplayable on his day, Lukaku's hold up play is still very raw when he gets the ball with his back to goal he likes to lay if off as soon as he can so he spin and run in behind, Benteke is much more of a presence up front, hwen he gets the ball he can hold it up very comfortably and is much better at linking play, Lukaku to me will never be 'Drogba like', i like how Lukaku plays though because he has power and pace and is difficult to stop when he gets going but Benteke for me has so much more potential than any other player to be the next Drogba.

I see them as different types of players both are still developing though and me personally i would love to have both in our squad!

Fair enough...you can never have too many Belgians.

Ultimately what made Drogba Drogba was his will to win - that's what a lot of people see in Rooney. Big-game players who get goals in CL Finals and the last minute of derbies. If either Lukaku or Benteke has that then they're set (I actually love Lukaku's dedication to being a footballer - Drogbaesque).

Agreed, we got some what lucky and looks as thought we have crossed the line. But if, if Jose comes in we need to address some very weak areas in this team and squad. The right signings are needed 100% and the right sales are also needed.

The foundations of getting fourth are now solidly laid, get Jose, get the right signings and BOOM we will be good to go.

In a rough season, we've unearthed real gems like Hazard, Azpi (getting a full-back who can stick around for a few years is always a good sign) and even Luiz whilst Mata and Rami have stepped up. Next season is the most open league for years and I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of bookies made us favourites if we get Jose.

On another point, I think I've thought of a post that could turn every single member on here against me....it involves which number shirt Rooney would get if we did sign him.