Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is developing a reputation as a coach who enjoys dealing in last-minute goals at Plymouth Argyle.
Of course United have a storied history in this regard, mainly built up during the Sir Alex Ferguson era, that would be known as ‘Fergie Time’.
The Scotsman would often be seen examining his watch and chewing gum ferociously as he awaited the inevitable siege on goal from his team in search of a last gasp winner.
This was most famously displayed on a warm May night in Barcelona when two added time goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer delivered the Champions League and the treble in 1999.
Rooney was less than impressed by his side as they lost 6-1 to Norwich City during the week and asserted that his under 18 side would have put up more fight than his team did.
Nonetheless, the Plymouth Herald have highlighted that Rooney has very much learnt and applied the art of the late goal from his previous employers.
“So often have Argyle grabbed last-gasp goals at Home Park in the Championship this season that the term ‘Rooney Time’ seems to be appropriate.”
“The latest example came when the Pilgrims twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Watford at Home Park in a Sky-televised clash under the Friday night floodlights.”
“Rooney has seen his Pilgrims’ side score five of their 17 Championship goals this season in 90-plus minutes of home matches. That is 29.4 per cent of their total, an astonishingly high figure.”
All of the late strikes have been at their stadium in front of the Devonport End, and four of the goals have turned defeat to a draw or a draw to a victory.
Rooney’s Plymouth have not had it all their own way by any stretch of the imagination as they sit 20th in the Championship and one point from the relegation zone.
The United legend will need to show he has more tricks up his sleeve than just late strikes if he is to save his job and rebuild his reputation as a manager after his disastrous stay at Birmingham City last year.
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
