Welbeck scores two for England but was still only good enough to be allowed to leave Untied for £16 Million. It’s not often the Red Devils let go a free scoring full international player.
I must say that it was nice to see England win the game against the Swiss and put the trauma of the World Cup performance behind them. The score was a little flattering to an England side who laboured for long periods, however, it is the result that counts and it is three points in the qualifying bag, so to speak. Either way, it was good to see a United player scoring on international duty… oh yes, sorry, ex-united player.
That said, the United contribution (even if I am including United old boys) to the England team was better than I expected. However, Phil Jones met with United medical staff today to discover the extent of his injury sustained during the Euro 2016 qualifying match. He limped off in the 77th minute of the 2-0 win in Switzerland, with what appeared to be a hamstring problem. That could be the 22 year old out from a few days to a few months and United fans will be eager to her news about the extent of the injury.
As ever with international games they can bring controversy when players are injured, however, at least the game was a full international and not a friendly. Alex Ferguson was notorious for pulling Ryan Giggs out of friendly games for Wales, claiming he was unfit. Phil Jones has drawn a lot of criticism from pundits for his recent performances in a red shirt. Sure, when playing in a back three, Jones has been caught out of position on a number of occasions but the team is getting to know Van Gaal’s new system.
The question on many fans lips, so it would seem, was about Rooney’s performance. The number of shots on goal crops up a lot as well. However, I for one, on this occasion, will support Wayne Rooney. Why is he expected to get a hat full of goals every time he pulls on a white shirt? That is not how strikers operate, a good return is considered a goal every two games. So, why all this pressure on Wayne Rooney? Why does he have to score goals in every England international? His record is 41 goals in 97 appearances which is a pretty good return. That does not include his assists and the added pressure he takes of his strike partners because his reputation draws at least two defenders to cover him.
That said, with United due to face QPR in the Premier League on Sunday and Luke Shaw, Radamel Falcao, Marcos Rojo likely to make their debuts Rooney has his work cut out keeping a place in the side. This will only make the player stronger as he learns to fight for the right to play in the red shirt. Like most fans I anticipate Rooney will get the nod ahead of other attacking players but he should be prepared for a few games to prove he should not be on the bench.
Talking of QPR, United old by Rio Ferdinand will likely be playing against his old club. He will be welcomed as a hero but given very little in the way of courteous football. But he knows that better than anyone and he would not have it any other way. I am looking forward to a strong performance against QPR but will miss Danny Welbeck coming off the bench. I just hope that the decision to sell the player does not look foolish over the next few months. The new guys have a lot to live up to.
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