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Why the 2012-13 Season Will Play a Massive Role in Wayne Rooney's United Future

Simon Edmonds@@Eddie_EdmondsX.com LogoCorrespondent ISeptember 4, 2012

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25:  Wayne Rooney of Manchester United in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford on August 25, 2012 in Manchester, England.  (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Since his arrival at the club in the summer of 2004, Wayne Mark Rooney has slowly etched his way into Manchester United folklore.

United's standout player for the past decade, Rooney has shown time and time again his prowess in front of the goal. He also has an uncanny ability from a player of such an attacking nature to track back and win the ball in dangerous positions for his side.

But this summer saw the arrival of a player who has the potential to shake things up at the club like never before.

When United signed Netherlands and former Arsenal striker Robin van Persie, a dilemma instantly arose within the Old Trafford dressing room: Would Fergie be able to find a way to effectively play these two together?

Alas, with Rooney picking up an injury so early on into this season's campaign, that question will – for now at least – have to remain unanswered.

The injury to Wayne that prevents this question from being answered may also have a much larger role to play in the hierarchy of United in the long term.

Rooney has always been the club's No. 1 man since he moved from Everton. Even when the great Cristiano Ronaldo burst onto the scene, Rooney somehow still managed to hold on to the title of "top dog" ahead of his Portuguese teammate.

However, with a world class like-for-like player in the form of RVP now challenging Rooney for a spot on the team, there is suddenly a completely different picture emerging.

Already the injury that Rooney suffered at the hands of Hugo Rodallega has thrown a massive spanner in the works.

The estimated four weeks away from the game allows van Persie the opportunity to cement his place within the United first XI.

His performance against Southampton this past Sunday would have done that aspiration no harm—  with the big Dutchman netting a match winning hat trick, even despite missing a penalty when the score was at 2-1.

This, along with a wonder-goal in his home debut against Fulham, means that van Persie has already netted four times in just three appearances for the Red Devils.

If this streak of incredibly hot form continues for RVP in Rooney's absence, then we could suddenly be seeing the emergence of a new "reign"of supremacy in Manchester.

So where would this leave Wayne?

Truth be told, Sir Alex's mantra has always been that the best players you have available should be on the pitch, even if they aren't in their optimum position.

This could be Rooney's future at the club if van Persie continues the way he has started.

Of course, Wayne would probably be more than happy to take a back seat to van Persie, and act more as a secondary "assisting" striker than the role he is currently used in as a "finisher."

In reality, there is a very strong possibility that this will eventually end up being Rooney's duty with the club.

Robin van Persie is a proven goalscorer in this league, and having already broken the seal in emphatic  style when it comes to scoring in a United shirt, the sky is the limit for the centre forward.

As such, this season may well see the great Rooney step off of his perch as he paves the way for a new front-man at his beloved United.

Whatever the case, Rooney will always have a place in the United set-up while he is playing at the standard he currently is.

Any fans who fears the acquisition of van Persie might lead to the exit of the Liverpudlian from Old Trafford should rest easy. Rooney is here to stay, and even if that is in a different role to the one supporters might usually expect of him, he will keep giving it his all to help the team.

Now we just have to wait for his return!

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