United Captain Controversy

            There is one player who has stolen the headlines for each Manchester United game, win or loss, and that is Wayne Rooney. Selected as the captain for the team by coach Louis Van Gaal, that decision and the choices made by Rooney on the field have arisen many questions and doubts as to Rooney’s capabilities as captain. Throughout recent games, Rooney has failed to prove his leadership qualities to many, and some believe that he does not deserve the role of captain.

            During that staggering defeat last week against Leicester City, Rooney began to show these qualities, or faults to some. As United began to break down on defense and allow attack by Leicester, Rooney seemed to collapse or break down himself under pressure. During a certain play, Rooney had the chance to clear an attacking ball by Leicester, which he failed to do efficiently, and eventually the play led to a goal on United. As captain, Rooney at that point should have accepted the mistakes and tried to encourage the team, and himself, to fix them. However, the controversial captain proceeded to go from teammate to teammate, yelling at them for their mistakes rather than help the team reassemble or take responsibility for his own mistakes. This leadership is deemed by many as “fake”, as the leader or captain is not always the one yelling at teammates but leading the team through his play, and this is not what Rooney did at this game, and the game eventually fell to a 5-3 loss by United.

            Now, Rooney was given another opportunity to lead his team up the table, with a home game against West Ham United. The game looked to be a successful show by United, leading at half 2-1, one of which was scored by Rooney himself. As United were seemingly in a comfortable position going forward, their defensive side again looked quite shaky. As Rooney tracked back, he was unable to catch up to West Ham midfielder Downing, and kicked him from behind in the United half. Rooney was then promptly sent off by the referee, leaving his team to hold on to their slight lead without their captain. As leader of the team, Rooney should have seen United’s position score-wise and not have made the tackle. Rooney put his team in jeopardy, and was lucky to see a win in the end. Also, the captain will sit out for three following games in the season, leaving an already unstable side without their leader. Rooney does not fit the role of captain of his team in my opinion, as he does not truly lead his team nor does he make decisions that help the team, but rather he decides to not play at all.