While Wayne Rooney’s wife may forgive him for straying from his commitments, Manchester United fans may never. Rooney’s ‘I want to leave United’ press statements stirred a media frenzy that ended on Friday, cutting short, what could’ve possibly been the most entertaining few months in transfer season history.
The contract re-signing surprised everyone, coming hot on the heels of his very public disenchament with Ferguson and the club. In a move that shocked us all, this Friday, United announced that Wayne Rooney had renegotiated a five-year contract worth sixty million pounds with the club. In a week where managers across Europe were already relishing the prospect of acquiring Rooney on the cheap and bookies were already taking bets on which team was going to buy the player, not even the most optimistic of United fans or football pundits would have predicted or expected such an outcome to the Rooney – Sir Alex soap opera.
As speculation is laid to rest, we now wonder, whether it was all just an exercise in public relations genius? Or an attempt to overshadow all the bad press that has dogged Rooney since his predilection for 4 am public urination and escorts hit the headlines? An opportunity for United to cement their contract and investment in Rooney, so that, if and when the time for his departure does arise (again), United can expect his transfer to break all records in football history?
Despite initial rejoicing that their star striker was not leaving the club, the United fan jury verdict is still out. In the twenty-four hours since the club announced Rooney’s renewed contract, United and football fans alike have displayed outrage at his questionable loyalty to the side. While some fans are ecstatic that Rooney may potentially play out his days at Old Trafford like United legends Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, other fans believe if he felt as strongly as the criticisms he leveled against the club and it’s management, perhaps he should be leaving in January after all.
The truth is – when an integral part of any team moves on, there is collateral damage, be it their fans, old teammates, managers or the to-be-replaced starting XI player at the receiving end of a messy transfer. It’s a no-brainer, that no one player alone can carry an entire football team. However, the reality when it comes to the Thierry Henrys, Steven Gerrards, Andrei Shevchenkos or the Kakas of the world; is that it is much harder to see players go that consistently form the back-bone of your team.
When you’re a die-hard fan with an extreme obsession for your team and all things related, expected or unexpected news of an impending transfer of the biggest name or your favorite player is tough to stomach. Fans display a huge range of emotions – from disbelief, shock to disappointment and anger. I remember a teary-eyed day in 2006, when Robert Pirès played his last game at Arsenal, an equally emotional moment in the summer of 2007 when Thierry Henry was transferred to Barcelona (and I expect more water works when Cesc Fabregas leaves the Gunners next season). Occasionally, there’s nothing like getting your own back, rewind to Arsenal ex-captain Patrick Vieira’s return to Highbury turf, playing for the opponent side in a Juventus shirt. In spectacular and fitting style, Pirès tackled a nervous Vieira and dispossessed him, eventually leading to Arsenal’s first goal against Juventus. Did I forget to mention the vindictiveness of fans with abandonment issues?
Perhaps that’s why the love for international football - once players are capped, they are barred from playing for any other national side, so you know they aren’t going anywhere. It’s a much safer bet for fans, one that virtually guarantees zero disappointment and no heartbreak. When it comes to domestic teams, the reality is player transfers are part and parcel of football. C’est la vie.
Transfer sagas, do however, play a significant role in identifying two significant trends amongst football fans: one, fans always stick behind their managers (at least when it’s a winning side, poor Roy Hodgson and floundering Liverpool aside) and second, that no one player is bigger then any team. Not even current Arsenal golden-boy Cesc Fabregas. One can only hope that when the inevitable happens, and he exchanges his Arsenal jersey for a Barcelona one, heart-broken Arsenal fans across the world will accept his departure with civility and a touch of class.
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