Tribute to Skipper

I’ve been a fan of Manchester United since I was 8. That was a time when football wasn’t a thing in India, and the matches were telecasted only on ESPN, unlike now where you’ve the option of choosing HD or what match to view.

My first memory of Manchester United was Rooney striking the ball from 25 yards out and scoring against Liverpool. They went on to win 1–0 that match, back then I wasn’t aware of the rivalry between United and Liverpool or the one between Liverpool and Everton. To score that goal in front of the Kop is something phenomenal for a 16 year old.

Since then, though Ronaldo carried the team thence, the perennial presence of Rooney in the middle of the box to pounce onto the oncoming ball has been something of a significance for United. The fast paced ball movement with Scholes and Keane dictating the play, Giggs running down the wings and whipping in that cross just for Rooney to salvage a goal is something only a person who has lived football can understand.

Wether it is Giggs whipping in the balls, Ronaldo crossing it from the flank, Valencia’s deep ball into the box, Nani’s sublime cross the one constant in all of that has been Rooney’s magical touch making it a goal. Till this day, he’s been the driving force in that United lineup and has been an inspiration for umpteen number of youth players coming out of the academy. He’s someone who doesn’t have the skill of Ronaldo, or the magic of Messi, yet his understanding of the game has been top notch. May it be placing the ball into the right part of the net, or wriggling his way past the defenders into the box the temperament and awareness has been top notch.

To be at a club for 13 years, break umpteen records all the while making no haters is something even the greatest of players struggle to achieve. To think that Rooney won’t be present inside the box to pounce onto the incoming balls is something, I as a fan cannot fathom. Though his form was deteriorating, the nerves of steel to go and get that Europa League trophy is something hard to find in modern day game, where people tend to take the easy route to leave for China, or USA.

Rooney leaving United is akin to a toddler leaving the house for college, he’ll go on to achieve greater things in life. Wazza, you came into United scoring three goals, and are leaving winning three trophies. #SaluteToYouLegend! :)

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade