Rooney Looking to Make an Example of Manchester City

Wayne Rooney will be all over Manchester City like a rash as he seeks another Premier League goal.

Rooney has struggled badly at times this season but he recently scored a brace against Aston Villa in emphatic style. Rooney had a quiet game in mid-week for England against Denmark but he’s likely to partner Dimitar Berbatov in the United attack for the Manchester derby.

Sir Alex Ferguson has shown Rooney a great deal of faith and loyalty this season that will do wonders for the striker’s confidence. There have been times when Ferguson must have been tempted to play Javier Hernandez in front of Rooney as the Mexican has a better record in front of goal during the current campaign.

Rooney’s work both on and off the ball is admirable. When he’s really up for a game, as he should be for this one, he runs around the pitch like a mad man closing down and pressing the opposition. He’s also one of the best passers of the ball in the United team.

Rooney can play in a 4-5-1 or a 4-4-2 against Manchester City which creates a luxury for Ferguson. He is fit, strong and quick enough to lead the attack by himself but he can also drop off into the midfield if the manager decides that a 4-4-2 is the best way to go against City.

There seems very little reason to change things because United have been playing well under a 4-4-2 formation for most of the season. Rooney will be chomping at the bit for another club game after the frustration that was written all over his face during the defeat at Wolves.

There is still a good size chunk of the season left to go and if United are going to be successful on more than one front then Wayne Rooney is going to play a huge part in the success of the team. Although Rooney hasn’t been in the best form, he has to stay in the side because of the potential explosiveness that he carries.

Rooney could easily score the first goal in this game at odds of 5/1. He is 7/5 to score at any point.