Rooney missing Munich trip would spell curtains for Man United

If Wayne Rooney does miss Manchester United’s trip to face Bayern Munich for the second leg of their Champions League quarter final then the Red Devils can kiss their paper thin chances of silverware goodbye this season.

From the first whistle of the first game this season Rooney has been United’s talisman and the news that the number 10 is now a major doubt for their trip to Munich is grim indeed for David Moyes and co.

Already robbed of Robin van Persie for up to six weeks, a torrid season has been briefly lit up by United’s rallying in Europe, but the repercussions of playing this massive game without Rooney could be devastating.

Thanks to a performance of true grit, United valiantly managed to keep the tie in the balance by drawing the game 1-1 at Old Trafford.

However, all that effort is under serious threat of being in vein if the Red Devils line up with no Rooney in their side, where Bayern’s odds of 1/4 to win the match and 1/8 to qualify should be snapped up as a direct result.

Rooney leads by example on the field, which is so vital for United’s cohesion during this of all seasons.

Bereft of Rooney’s leadership and other key personnel including cup-tied Juan Mata, Van Persie and Ryan Giggs, a tough task against the German and European champions becomes herculean for Moyes and his side.

The stats only back this up. In games with Rooney playing this season, United have won nearly 60 per cent, but without the England man featuring it’s down to 45 per cent of the 11 games he’s missed.

Furthermore, he happens to be in his best scoring-form of the season, having notched four in as many recent appearances which represents 2/3 of the team’s tally in that period.

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