November 11, 2008 – Reader Poll

By: Taylor Rockwell | November 10th, 2008

It was recently recently brought to my attention by loyal reader Colin that some United fans may be slightly offput by one of my writing tendencies. More specifically, my continued insistence on referring to the man who currently wears United’s #7 jersey as “Slave”. I must say that I would like more than anything to welcome Him back warmly and with affection, but something about last summer continues to leave a bad taste in my mouth.

When the whole #7-Rooney post-World Cup 2006 controversy threatened to ruin a talented United squad, I was one of the first to welcome Him back with open arms. I thought the entire incident was overblown, and remain convinced that Rooney would have been just as passionate if the shoe had been on the other foot (or, perhaps more fittingly, the other testicle). Regardless, the fans welcomed him back because they accepted that incidents like that tend to happen on the pitch (national pride often supersedes club camaraderie).

This season, however, the issue with Him is entirely different. He had numerous opportunities to quiet the media storm, to relax the situation, to say clearly what he wanted. Instead, #7 fueled the flames and forced United to spend their entire summer worrying about what might/might not be. I personally believe that one reason for United’s slow start to the season is #7’s antics in the offseason. Rather than develop a plan/strategy to replace departed Assistant Carlos Quieroz, Fergie was forced to spend a considerable chunk of his time worrying about whether or not the best player in the world would be wearing red or white when the season kicked off.

So, I have a hard time accepting a man who only a few months ago seemed so set on leaving United. But perhaps that was all media hype, King Franco FC lies, and La Marca trying to sell papers. Who knows? Stranger things have happened.

But for me this has been the strangest subplot of the season. I just don’t know what to make of Him anymore. Do I embrace him as a talented (albeit, egotistical player) and retire the “annoying” term to which I have become accustomed? Or do I hold firm and remain suspect until He does something to truly state his loyalty (wherever it may be)? I leave it to you, dear readers, to help me decide. Vote now!