Why losing Rooney could be suicide

There are players and there are players. As we sat down and watched the first shocker of the 2013/2014 English Premier League, between league holders Manchester United and league title contenders Chelsea, one wondered, what would Manchester United be without the unsettled Wayne Rooney?

In a game in which Chelsea copied Barcelona in playing without a point striker, one could be tempted to think that this was a boring Champions League first-leg game. However, Wayne Rooney's engagement and work rate, though not extraordinary as we were used to some years ago, was the focal point of interest and all Man United danger originated from his actions.

Unfortunately (though putting up a worthy and classy performance), one could see in Rooney's body language some unease.

Of course it has been a "busy" summer for him but it is clear. Chelsea want and need him and the player seems to be in a hurry to leave but Man United are adamant and in a fight to keep him at Old Trafford.

Why is keeping Rooney at Man United so important or special?

Home grown 'club man'

Though formed at Everton, Rooney, in world football, is synonymous with Man United. Losing this talented and versatile national team player will dent, in so many ways, the stature and spirit of Manchester United. This was a major reason why Sir Alex Ferguson refused him his exit wishes while he was in charge just two years ago.

Man United is a traditional team and traditional teams need traditional stars for identification purposes.

Rare breed

Modern day football requires that rare player who is not a point striker (like Drogba, Van Persie and Torres) but who can operate just behind the point striker and intelligently link the midfield and the attack in a way that unsettles the opposition's defence.

This player is allowed a 'roaming' freedom but must be intelligent enough to measure and balance his efforts defensively and offensively and always stay "playable" (Fabregas, Messi and Rooney are experts at this art). Watch how "playable" Rooney was yesterday at most times.

Psychological loss of power and potency

Manchester United have, in recent years, been considered the richest club in the world, with the best manager in the world (Sir Ferguson) and the first choice club of all English players. No player is supposed to be able to refuse a Manchester United offer. That was till this summer.

Now the legendary manager, Ferguson, is gone. Rooney wants to leave and Man United have had difficulties signing some players they needed. Is this the end of Man United as England's absolute first club? Losing Rooney to their main rival, Chelsea, would seal this notion in people’s minds and psychologically hurt Man United going forwards.

Chelsea and Mourinho are well aware of this. The board of Manchester United now realise this. Rooney's advisers know this and some fans knew this all along.

Cesc Fabregas' lack of availability

With Cesc Fabregas, courted by David Moyes for the central role, deciding to stay put at Barcelona, the loss of Rooney to Chelsea or any other team now would spell doom for United.

Shinji Kagawa could be a good substitute but the poor fellow has been given so little encouragement to shoulder this huge responsibility, I fear he would struggle.

Cost of a replacement

United have refused an offer of over £26 million for Rooney from Chelsea. Should they sell him even at £30 million, a worthy replacement would cost much more and there is no guarantee of what to expect. At least with Rooney, Man. United know what they have.

In summary, I am in agreement that it is not wise to keep an unhappy player in a club when he is bent on leaving. In this case, though, pouring some water on the fire and persuasion could help Man United keep their valuable player.

There is one year to go to the World Cup and for David Moyes to have gone public to state that England's best striker at the moment could not be guaranteed a starting spot in his line up was as smart as jumping off a building without a parachute.

Dialogue is key here and, should Man United want to be competitive on all fronts, they are going to need to do a lot of that. Otherwise they could just live to regret it.