Life After Ronaldo…

Thursday, 17/09/2009

“A one man team”, “United will struggle without him”, “Simply irreplaceable.”

They were just some of the pundits’ views following Cristiano Ronaldo’s summer departure from Old Trafford.

Of course, United will miss Ronaldo, there isn’t a team in the world that wouldn’t. He’s one of the best players in Premier League history and his development from exciting entertainer to ruthless match-winner was vital to United’s return to domestic and European dominance.  

But, if there’s one player United couldn’t afford to lose in the summer it wasn’t the twinkle-toed talent from Portugal. It was England’s finest… Wayne Rooney.

The ‘White Pele’ has relished bearing the customary weight of expectation at United on his shoulders and taken on the mantle of the team’s talisman with ease. Rooney’s recent goal-scoring form has been important to United’s start, but his all-round, ultra-determined displays have been crucial.

Without Ronaldo, Rooney is relishing the chance to maximise his natural instincts and control games from a more central attacking role. He will always wander out wide and track back like a man possessed, but starting from a central role means he operates where he’s at his most dangerous.

Losing Carlos Tevez and Ronaldo during the summer and replacing them with Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia didn’t fill United fans with excitement. But, there are definite signs that Sir Alex is re-working a team capable of a title challenge.

Ben Foster has shown he can be the long-term successor to Van der Sar between the sticks. A defence containing Rio and Vidic will always be solid and Patrice Evra continues to show he’s one of the world’s finest full-backs.

It was pleasing to see Owen get off the mark against Wigan, likewise Dimitar Berbatov. Surely there is more to come from both strikers. It’s make or break time for both of them. Make or break for Berbatov’s career at United and for Owen, arguably make or break for his career.

Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes have continued to defy their advancing years, putting in top-class performances whilst Darren Fletcher continues to impress. Anderson, Carrick, Nani and Valenica can and must get better.

The Burnley defeat aside, it’s been a solid start. Beating Arsenal and Spurs in successive league games was a title- challenging statement.

Ronaldo’s moved on and so have the supporters. He will never be forgotten. The £80m fee offers some consolation, but, the major consolation is that Wayne Rooney remains and his value to the team is priceless.

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