Nobody

And never will be. Even the world's best forwards at the minute are streets ahead of Rooney. Eto'o, Torres, Van Nistelrooy etc.. Rooney is very good, but he's definitely not great. See, id disagree with that, look at the stats that Man U have with him in the team, also he has a goal scoring record of nearly 1 in 2 games (throughout his Man U career), thats generally accepted as being a top goal scoring ratio, to be fair to him he's not an out an out goal scoring strikers like the others as well so his build up play and influence on the game isnt highlighted as much as the others. If i could have any striker in the world at nufc, he'd come very close to the top in my opinion. Aye, the likes of Torres, Nistelroy and Eto aren't valid comparisons cos they do a different job for the team. They're primarliy finishers and Rooney isn't. Rooney has got a bit of everything - strength, power, good touch and passing and he gets his head up when he's on the ball. Finishing's not what it might be but he still scares defenders when he picks it up 20-30 yards out, as he can make things happen. Must admit I preferred to watch the swashbuckling, raging bull Rooney of 2004 and before, but would probably agree that he's a better footballer these days. Of course they're valid comparisons, they all play up front. And Eto'o is far from just an in the box finisher type of player. He is fast, strong and can beat players with ease. Same with Torres. Eto'o can even switch out wide when needed and will track back opposition wingers. They are a much more frightening thought 20-30 yards from goal as they're more likely to put the ball in the net. Man Utd have scored 72 goals in the league this year. Rooney has only managed 11. Keepers will feel an advantage and gain confidence playing against Rooney knowing he will need about 4 or 5 chances to score a goal. Rooney has scored 11 goals in 24 league appearences this season, some coming off the bench. He's got 11 goals in 20 games when he's played for 70 minutes or more, which isn't bad at all. Add to that that he's made 11 assists as well, and you've got a player who scores or sets up a goal in nearly every game he plays in, that certainly compares with the likes of Torres, Van Nistelroy and Etoo in terms of class.

Drogba, Terry, Cech, SWP, Anelka, J. Cole and Essien would do for me. At cut-prices, obviously.

I really like all of our current shirts, tbh. I agree that there is no reason for the third kit, though I wouldn't mind seeing something similar for our away shirt next season!

Because he left circa 1999. Would you believe that he's a bit of a legend in my local club? And he only came here AFTER he left Newcastle My mates says that he was a good player here, but I've never been able to see past his shiteness for Newcastle AIK Stochkolm is it? Just AIK, or AIK Solna if anything.

Because Amdy Faye is a f****** disgrace of a player and Andy O'Brien scored against the mackems and played in the Champions League. Faye was a regular for a half season. Then Parker was signed. Nowhere near as bad as some of you are pretending. Not even close. I'm sorry, but he was hopelessly s***. Utterly f****** useless. I wouldn't normally knock 'a tryer', but he was so bad I can't help myself. I completely agree. As I said in the worst player thread, he couldn't pass or tackle - the 2 things a defensive midfielder is supposed to do. How did this end up in this thread?

Because he left circa 1999. Would you believe that he's a bit of a legend in my local club? And he only came here AFTER he left Newcastle My mates says that he was a good player here, but I've never been able to see past his shiteness for Newcastle

Have a great time over there mate, wish it was me!

I've actually thought for quite a while now that Barton will score in this game. I'm not ver often correct though

Torres would probably be the only striker I'd have ahead of Rooney at the moment. Van Nistelrooy and Etoo might be better goalscorers, but Rooney is younger and offers a whole lot more than either of them in terms of work-rate and team-play.

He did in the cup game against Sunderland on my FIFA 08 Manager carreer, nailed on to happen for real on Sunday!

Man U Rooney for me, but only just.

Aye, I fucking hate it! That finger must be so disgusting!!

And his finishing is very hit and miss for a forward. For me, he makes up for his "bad" finishing by all his other attributes. No one will say that he's as clinical as Drogba or Torres, but at a stretch, I would still take Rooney over both of them.

Sounness, he inherrited a decent team and managed to make it into almost relegation-candidates in just a couple of years. While Allardyce didn't do much right here, he was given a poor team, but he made a few good signings (especially Beye, Faye and Enrique), even though he himself didn't manage to get the best out of any of his signings.

I rate Rooney as one of the best players on the planet. He's something else, I can't think of a current player like him. He works incredibly hard for the team, has great vision, lovely touch and you won't see him being outmuscled by many players. The only reason most don't see him as a competitor for the best player in the world is becuase he isn't as full of tricks as Ronaldo, Messi, Kaka etc.

The game was televised here in Sweden, couldn't see much of it though as I was working, but from what I saw Godsmark, Zamblera and Lua Lua looked a class above. Especially Lua Lua, his close control is immense, he's a joy to watch with the ball at his feet. I really hope he will make it, he certainly looks talented enough.

Never seen him play, but he's got a cool name (Boussouffa), so sign him up

We're on live almost every week if you live outside of the UK, so don't you worry about that

I like how this thread is just above the "The Untouchable Alan Smith"-thread. Well, it was before I fucked it up with this post.

Parkers tackle to send Joe Cole flying was a canny moment as well

Same with Martins volley against Liverpool that hit the bar this season. Even though it didn't go in, you sure as hell held your breath.

Martins rocket against Spurs last year

I really, really hate the away-goal rule, and the fact that it's enforced on Extra Time is sickening IMO. Not that I had anything against Bayern going through, I quite like them as a team, got many interesting players, but it's fucking harsh on Getafe.

Good shout. Fucking hell, Man U got too many of my favourite players. Scholes, Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez, Vidic, Hargreaves and Carrick are all players I really like.