Manchester United: Scholes wrong about Wayne Rooney impending recall

Paul Scholes reckons Wayne Rooney is two games away from being reinstated into the Manchester United starting lineup by Jose Mourinho.

Wayne Rooney was dropped from the Manchester United starting lineup for the game against Leicester City last week. The result was a much improved performance and a convincing 4-1 win for the Red Devils.

United looked more youthful and energetic without Rooney around, but Paul Scholes reckons the Manchester United captain will be back in the team in no time. Speaking on BT Sport about Rooney, the United legend said:

"”He’s been an unbelievable player for this club. There’s no saying that if Wayne played on Saturday it wouldn’t have been 4-1. I just think he’s not in the greatest of form at the minute. The timing is right for him not to be in the team."

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"”We know Wayne. We work with him, day in, day out. He’s a fighter. He won’t sit back and just let this happen. He’ll be fighting to get back in this team. When the big games come around – Liverpool, Chelsea, City – I think we’ll see Wayne back to his best.”"

Asked specifically whether Mourinho will start Rooney for those games, Scholes replied: ”I’m certain he will.”

Well, a rampant Liverpool team will welcome United to Anfield in two weeks time. The very next game after this Sunday’s against Stoke City. That’s a short amount of time for Rooney to work his way back into the team. If he even can at all.

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Rooney hasn’t shown anything in recent years that would make you think he is capable of such a quick turnaround. Either Scholes actually thinks Rooney is capable of turning his form around so quickly. Or he just thinks Mourinho is going to pick Rooney based on his name and past history.

It’s amazing how many of Manchester United’s past legends come out and back Rooney at times like these. It’s almost like they all get an email from the club saying ‘hey, get out there and back our Wayne. Come on everybody, move, move, move.’

Scholes, Bryan Robson, Rio Ferdinand, Phil Neville and Paul Ince have all recently backed Rooney to be in the starting XI. I know you back your own, but they’re all in denial about Rooney’s current level if they truly believe that.

Based on his play, Rooney deserves to be dropped. It’s not a personal attack. It happens. Mourinho has better options for that position than Rooney at United right now. Juan Mata deserves to play for his recent performances.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has not even got going yet, and he will likely be the long-term number 10 once he finally gets a run in his position. Even Paul Pogba has to be considered for that position if he does not fully settle in his current role.

Rooney is way down the list. To suddenly bring him back, out of nowhere, for the Liverpool game would be only be negative. Negative because his form doesn’t warrant it. Negative because the only basis for such a decision can be Rooney’s status.

Being benched is what 30-year-old Wayne Rooney needs. A challenge. A point to prove. This whole episode will decide whether Rooney really can go again. Whether he can still bounce back and reproduce to reclaim his position.

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He’s had enough of being picked no matter what. Enough of being told he’s been brilliant when he was the worst player on the pitch. Now, finally, Rooney is exactly where he should be.

Which is where he needs to stay until proven otherwise. Big game or not.

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