Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney - England Striker - World Cup 2006
squad no. 9

club: Manchester United
position: Centre Forward
age: 20
caps: 29
goals: 11

We don't even really want to say anything about Wayne Rooney, it's all too depressing when you think about it again.

Let's wait and see the result of his next scan and take it from there.

Football England Verdict
Rating: 6.00

I suppose we all knew it could happen.
Rooney made a wonderful recovery from his broken foot, suggested for half an hour against Ecuador that he was ready to take over the tournament and then got sent off against Portugal.
We expect plenty from this guy, but just how much did Sven expect?
Sticking him out of position, with little support and hardly any decent service against a quality international defence. And he was still on his way back from a serious injury.
Not an ideal tactic, was it Sven?

Portugal 0-0.
Football England rating: 4
Who knows if he meant to stand on Carvalho? Perhaps even he's not sure. When he did it England's chances all but evaporated. We could have still got through this one but where would it have left us in the next round?

Ecuador 1-0.
Football England rating: 7
This was a highly encouraging display from England's finest.
He lasted the full game and looked stronger than anyone at the end.
Set up several chances in a storming second half display and did well in his lonely role up the middle.
Let's hope we get to see the real Rooney from here on in.

Sweden 2-2.
Football England rating: 6
Not the explosion we or he would have hoped for but Rooney did okay and showed glimpses of his fantastic ability.
Reacted badly to being withdrawn but he should not expect too much too soon. Another improved performance against Ecuador should see him ready to really fire from the quarter finals onwards.
His foot looks fine and we just have to pray now that he suffers no reaction.

Trinidad 2-0.
Football England rating: 7
The Roon is back. A couple of early touches showed exactly what we have been missing and his mere presence visibly lifted the side.
Ran into a few challenges rather than avoiding them but at least that seemed to confirm his fitness.

Sun June 11
It appears at though Wayne has been putting himself about in training and now Theo Walcott has a sore calf after being mangled by our convalescing superstar.
Could you not do a job on Owen Hargreaves Wayne?

Paraguay 1-0.
Long before the end the England fans were singing his name as the England performance lurched beyond mediocrity. The win has bought us more time with Wayne but the performance puts his value to the side in ever sharper focus.

Weds June 7; Roonaldo flies back to Manchester for crucial scan on hurt foot. Emerges belatedly with smiling face and re-joins squad in Germany.
There is no official comment and drawn out nature of the day leads to speculation that a huge club v. country row is in progress. It would seem likely that Wayne is going to form part of the squad, however.
When he will be able to play is still open to debate.

Tues, June 6; Wayne is seen booting a football. Cue mass hysteria. Everyone forgets to take into account that the new World Cup ball is made out of jelly. More important developments can be expected tomorrow when Rooney has his scan.

Check back here for Football England's Assessment of Rooney's Performances and News.