Am I alone in thinking...

Wayne Rooney should have been rested for yesterdays game?

I think considering the circumstances surrounding our current predicament, Moyes should have played Hernandez or Welbeck as the spearhead yesterday.

Sure enough, Bayern away was 11 days before the Everton match on Sunday, but long term, I'm sure Rooney would have benefited from some proper recovery time, rather than being rushed back for which was by in large, a pretty meaningless game for us in terms of significance.

I'm not saying that yesterday didn't matter, because no matter what we should set out to win in every game. I'm not sure Moyes has this mindset worryingly.

Anyway, back on topic. Its frustrating to see Moyes' over reliance on Rooney, even when it is quite clear he has been injured or not at full fitness. I can understand why he fielded him against Bayern, you need your best players on the pitch in the big games but at the same time, I think we would have benefited with a fitter striker in both games rather than a half hearted Rooney.

What also worries me is how Moyes deploys Rooney in a tactical sense. Yesterday for instance, just what position was Rooney playing?!?! He was everywhere except where we needed him, on the shoulder of the centre backs was where we needed him most. We had no focal point. Moyes should have instructed him to stay further up the pitch because when he drops too deep we look toothless and players like Mata and Kagawa have no advanced passing positions because everything is infront of the defence. Rather annoying to watch and easy to defend against.

Being all over the pitch is kind of fine when Rooney is playing in the no. 10 role, where he can help the midfield and buzz around the pitch. I used to think this was his best position when he was younger, he had that dynamism and unpredictability to his game. Nowadays its all about that Hollywood cross field pass or under hit short passes that allows the opposition to murder us on the counter.

For me, if Moyes (or whoever else becomes our manager in the near future) is to play Rooney, he needs to be tactically instructed to lead the line and limit the times he drops deep to collect the ball. His skill set is best suited to a number 9. He is a good finisher, aerially competent and strong enough to hold up the ball. He isn't creative or technically good enough to run the show or dictate the tempo for us anymore.

What worries me the most is that RvP is a better number 9 than Rooney, but due to Rooney's new deal and the glaring need to sacrifice either one to improve as a team, it puts Rooney in an untouchable position. He can't be dropped and seems exempt from being dropped when in poor form or carrying an injury. At least Fergie had the balls to do this.

In no way am I saying I don't rate Rooney because I do. I think when he is managed right and used correctly, he can be a real asset. I just have reservations that if we persist with Moyes, we will never progress as a footballing side.

I'm also a big fan of RvP and despite his injury record this year I think he is our best forward. If I was being totally honest, I would be tempted to sell Rooney if RvP was truly happy to remain with us. I'd also do everything in my power to keep Welbeck and Hernandez and reassure them that they will have plenty of opportunities whilst also blooding in James Wilson.

You may think I'm mad suggesting Rooney be sold, but I am probably one of very few people that thinks he holds us back in the sense he is now a jack of all trades, rather than a master of one. Mata and Kagawa are better number 10's and RvP is a better number 9. I also feel that Rooney has been overhyped in terms of performance this season. Sure he has been better than last year but I'm not totally convinced that he has been anything above solid. He has been one of the worst performers in nearly every big match bar Arsenal at home this season IMO.

I'd love it if we found a way to accommodate Mata, Januzaj, Rooney and RvP into an attacking unit but feel it lacks balance and pace. I'd love to be proven wrong but I am not convinced Moyes can achieve this. It is glaringly obvious that RvP is the better number 9, and despite his age and injury record, I think we would be insane to sell him if he is indeed happy at Utd.

On a side note, I was rather gutted when I woke up this morning to find Moyes is still our manager and it makes it hard to rationally think whats for the best when he has distorted the view on many of our players this season.