Wayne Rooney was supposed to have two World Cups by now. At least, thats what the 2003 media would have you believe, when he was dubbed the White Pele having broken onto the scene in quickfire fashion. What has transpired since has been nothing of the sort. The closest Rooney has come to a World Cup final was ended with an unsanctimonious boot into Ricardo Carvalhos nether regions in the 2006 quarter-finals. The Brazil finals might actually be viewed as something of a personal success story for the former Everton man, as it proved to be the setting of his first ever World Cup goal a full twelve years after his first major tournament. Once again, Rooney lacked invention, imagination and a spark, with Hodgson employing him in a deeper role. Aside from the inch-perfect cross for Daniel Sturridge to equalise against the Italians, Rooney was once again largely anonymous throughout the campaign. It will be interesting to see how much of his patented inconsistency Van Gaal is ready to put up with.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
