Five reasons why Wayne Rooney should stay at Manchester United

On the move: Wayne Rooney sits on the bench prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on May 5, 2013 in Manchester, England. He has been linked with a move to Chelsea. (Getty Images)

Wayne Rooney is at the crossroads at this moment in time of his Manchester United career as he managed only 12 league goals last season; extremely disappointing by his high standards, but the manner in which he took the field was even more disappointing.

Rooney’s body language betrayed a loss of interest and he did not rise to the challenge that the advent of Robin van Persie posed. Instead of giving him competition as perhaps Sir Alex Ferguson would have desired, the Dutchman became the man Rooney was once at United.

The fact that Rooney will not get a free ride in the David Moyes’s regime should be acknowledged. The forward will have to improve upon his fitness, his desire to put on a show and concede to the wishes of the manager.

If he’s played out of position, he’ll have to do that that with a smile on his face. If he’s unable to perform, he’ll have to warm the benches. The cost of a being a United player is that you have to be consistently the best in your position. And at the moment, Rooney is not in that place.

The options in front of him then are pretty clear.

Rooney can choose to head in a new direction – to a club that will be relatively successful, and that will offer him much of what he has at United and try to rebuild some of his lost reputation. A lot of clubs will not fill that profile, in England and elsewhere.

There is no doubt that Rooney needs a fresh challenge to push himself at the moment. Or maybe a new environment and culture could bring the best out of him once again, that is, if he wishes to move abroad, at this point of time in his career, in search of more medals.

But the other option the ex-Everton man has is to stay at Old Trafford. Rooney could possibly get all that and more if he were to stay put. Let’s have a look at why Wayne Rooney should not leave Manchester United:

A Manchester United fan places a green and gold scarf around a cut-out of Wayne Rooney before the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford on March 14, 2010 in Manchester, England. (Getty Images)

5. The fans

There is hardly a relation in the current circumstances of shifting loyalties in the leagues around the world that comes close to the relationship that United fans shared with Rooney.

When he completed his big money transfer from Everton, he was an exceptional talent tipped for great achievements. He was soon made the poster boy for the club and formed a stunning partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo.

When CR7 left, the fans looked towards him for the goals and he delivered. While many would consider that he has underachieved, five league titles and a Champions League trophy is enough to tilt that opinion somewhat.

It is difficult to see Rooney go elsewhere and have the same kind of relationship with the fans but he can definitely reignite his love affair with the Red Devils with a bit of hard work.

Wayne Rooney walks off the pitch after being substituted during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground on April 17, 2013 in London, England. (Getty Images)

4. The biggest challenge

Rooney has often said that United lack ambition. But ever since then, they have signed van Persie and also won their record 19th title. Rooney looked pale last season and low on confidence. And if Rooney is looking for a new challenge is should be to prove to United that he is worth the hassle.

They are a club that is competing in the Champions League and are the current English Champions.

Rooney will have to compete for a place and prove to the fans that he still has what it takes to be United’s main-man. There is a plethora of challenges to be faced at United if he chooses to stay and put up a fight.

David Moyes of Manchester United, arrives for his first day of work as the club’s new manager at Carrington Training Ground on July 1, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Getty Images)

3. David Moyes

Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney shared an affectionate relationship at the club but that seemed to have broken down at the latter end of the season. Sir Alex even declared that Rooney had requested a transfer, a claim that Rooney still denies.

The incoming manager is not a particularly good friend of his as the former Everton manager had sued Rooney for defamation for comments he made in his autobiography. Rooney later personally apologised to Moyes.

It was a gesture that Moyes appreciated and praised publically and hence there should be no unresolved issues. Rooney can begin a fresh campaign under him. There is no reason why he can’t impress the new boss and earn a regular place in the side.

Wayne Rooney of Manchester United celebrates scoring to make it 1-1 with Robin van Persie during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Stoke City at Old Trafford on October 20, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Getty Images)

2. Where else?

It is difficult to say that Rooney will find a suitor who can cater to his demands fully. He wants a regular place in the starting eleven, and is currently one of the highest paid footballers in the Premier League.

There has been no buzz regarding any offers from Spain, if there were any that would be a genuinely new challenge he could gear up for. He has been linked to Arsenal and Chelsea, two clubs which can perhaps cater to his wage demands.

United are Premier League champions whereas Chelsea and Arsenal are contenders. One can be assured that they won’t give him a free ride in the squad either.

Wayne Rooney kisses his badge during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park on October 25 2008 in Liverpool, England. (Getty Images)

1. A possible revival

There is no reason why Rooney cannot revive his career at United. If one takes a look at the stats, in terms of number of goals scored in the past seasons, one notices a trend.

He scored heavily in 2009-10 and 2011-12 with over 25 league goals but otherwise he has averaged about 12 goals, also the number he scored last season, with the Red Devils. He can surely perform better than last season under this new reign.

Gary Neville summed it up perfectly. He said, “Wayne needs to surround himself with his family and his players. The ones who have been here for a long time will bring him around. If you play for this club for 20 years, it is not a bed of roses. You struggle mentally at times. He will be going through a difficult moment.”

It’s for Rooney to choose if he wants to embrace the struggle and finish his career at United or choose the easier option by moving on.