As the consequences of the tabloid revelations about Wayne Rooney's private life spiral onwards as he now seems intent on his current club Manchester United, I, like many see only one person to blame.Wayne Rooney.
Frankly, I have no sympathy for the lad. He spent years letting the tabloids into his life, photos of his wedding to Colleen being just one example. I think the clich(e) for this has to be good things rarely last. A good relationship with the notoriously cutthroat British press was never going to have much life to it and there was bound to be a fair few reporters digging for any dirt on the striker that they could find. I for one find it unsuprising that Rooney has slipped up in such a manner, he's not the first just think of all the recent captain's of England, none are squeaky clean.
Let that not be an excuse for him though. He let his wealth and fame get to him and whilst his wife was pregnant he began playing away from home. And not just for Manchester United. Something as horrible as this deserves little sympathy.
His form for United dipped as we all expected, that on top of the injury he suffered meant it was always going to be a battle to get back to the heady days when he could score for fun. However, his reaction to be dropped by Ferguson was not something to be expected. Few within the squad question the Scot's decisions publically and last much longer in the team. The manager has to pick the best possible team for each game in order to win and an unfit, out of form Rooney was unlikely to make the squad let alone the bench. The most shocking thing about his behaviour thus far, worse than the scandal itself in my eyes, was to come out and say he wasn't even injured and so his manager was wrong to use that as a reason to drop him. Nothing screams selfish, desperate and childish quite like turning to the press and making a comment like that after being dropped. Throwing the toys out of the pram Wayne?
Now he's come out to say he wants to leave United because the team isn't heading in the right direction. He has a point. The team is hugely in debt with an ageing and at times lacklustre squad they look unlike to reclaim the Premiership anytime soon. But now more than ever they need their talisman, now more than ever Ferguson relies on the loyalty of the squad to him and now, at such a dangerous time for the club, their talisman is asking to leave? I daresay he'll follow the route of Messers Beckham and Ronaldo and be shown the door. Talisman or not he's now a player with priorities greater than the team he plays for.
Granted it can be argued that he was given too much too young and being the centre of United's squad for a number years has inflated his ego to such an extent its risen higher than the great club whose shirt he pulls on every Saturday. This unfortunately is becoming a common theme as young talent gets spoiled by money and corruption as they succeed.Thats life sometimes though and people need to learn how to cope with money and the succeess they get. The blame shouldn't lie with Sir Alex though his decision to pay the fee he did and play him is one few would turn down and his contribution to what can only be described as a waning squad has proven invaluable.
Rooney's behaviour and ultimately his decision to leave the club feels like the reaction of a child not getting his way. Despite what he has said about United his move is immature and disloyal like a rat jumping off a sinking ship. This kind of attitude is something that not only a team like Manchester United seek to avoid but England should seek to avoid too. Like many United fans I will be happy to see him leave the club.
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