Football FanCast columnist Alex Rowland lauds the contribution of Wayne Rooney and feels there is no question which attacker should be the first name on Sir Alex's team sheet.

There was a time, not so many years ago, when Wayne Rooney was described with the same messianic influence as Kevin Keegan to Geordies and Theo Walcott to cynical England fans. However, since Manchester United signed him in the summer of 2004 his impact has resembled more of a burning ember than an explosion.

His goal haul in the last four seasons has been 17, 19, 23 and 18; somewhat unspectacular. But as most United fans will tell you, that matters even less than Emile Heskey's international record. A burning ember he may be, but a crucial one; consistent, predictably reliable, ever present. He burns for ninety minutes each match that he plays in, whether it be at centre forward, in the hole, or on the wing. At a time when Dimitar Berbatov refused to play as a striker for Tottenham this season, despite collecting £50,000 a week from the club, and Nicholas Anelka blames his recent Champions League final penalty miss on his brothers and anyone else in earshot: what better example of a footballer is there?

Blessed with undoubted talent, Rooney has often been utilised as a ‘do a job' man; tracking back, tackling wingers, passing wherever possible. Ferguson has obviously decided that Rooney's best attribute is his desire to win for the team; although surely the most successful British manager ever saw the two shades of Rooney on Sunday against Chelsea? For the first 55 minutes Rooney was the most effective offensive player on the pitch. His link up play meant that Berbatov started to resemble a half decent striker, and his creativity should have brought a goal for Rio Ferdinand. His dribbling was effective too, as he was a useful counter attack weapon, carrying the ball from his own area to the brink of the opposition's. United looked good for their 1-0 lead too, and the side was nicely balanced. Then Ferguson made an uncharacteristically bad decision, replacing the nullifying Scholes, with the luxurious Ronaldo.

Ferguson obviously eyed Ronaldo's speed on the counter attack, but it would surely have been more sensible to take off Berbatov, who wasn't closing down challenges or winning headers, in order to preserve the lead. Instead Ferguson chose Ronaldo and instructed him to play wide right, but in minutes a bemused Rooney was covering for the wandering Portuguese and the balance of the team was lost. Rooney's frustration was demonstrated with a wayward routine 20 yard pass straight to Terry, and a yellow card for a crunching tackle on Ashley Cole. Rooney had soon drifted back to his old self. Work-rate replaced guile. Stamina replaced grace. Ronaldo was drifting where he pleased, and like his Bulgarian strike partner, failing to win headers or close down. In the last twenty minutes United were suddenly unimaginative and hurried in attack. Berbatov was anonymous, Ronaldo was unavailable and Rooney was stranded in right midfield.

A second watch of the game should provide a season changing conclusion; Wayne Rooney should be the first striker on the team sheet.

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