United on the Wayne?

'Once a blue, always a blue'.

A cheap shot for Kopites and a source of bitterness for the Goodison faithful. Yet, when Wayne Rooney made the short move up the M62, he became an instant legend. All of a sudden, the blue became a red. And was worshipped.

Don't get me wrong, this would have happened at whatever club Rooney joined, and probably will in whatever foreign clime he ends up in. Which of course leaves the mouthwatering prospect of him teaming up with his old team-mate Carlos Tevez at the Costa del Eastlands. That's probably the only thing that would further anger the fans that made him one of their [Scouse] own.

Rooney is a player of undoubted quality. 30-odd goals last season were a major step forward for him and for Manchester United. At times unplayable, he tortured defences nation and Europe-wide. The 'white Pele' was seemingly the man who would lead United back to title and European Cup success over the coming years. Then came that ankle injury against Bayern Munich, and whatever else besides. And then came that World Cup, and whatever else besides. So what went wrong? Where did communications break down? Step forward Sir Alex.

Sir Alex Ferguson is a master in his era - a genuine legend of the game. Part of me thinks that today's comments were simply another reason to be in awe of this man's many masterclasses. Rooney was well and truly pushed into the Old Trafford limelight without being in sight - go on Wayne, what say you?

Sir Alex has left Rooney with the most difficult of tasks in explaining the situation, and there is simply no easy way to explain why you are leaving the fans who love you and you claim to love. He has also claimed to have left the door open for Rooney, that the ball is in his court. Let's be clear here, Sir Alex rubber-stamped Rooney's exit today.

"The one thing I said to him was 'respect this club, I don't want any nonsense from you'," said Sir Alex. And therein is the one thing that seems to have been forgotten in this furore.

Wayne Rooney needs Manchester United more than Manchester United need Wayne Rooney.

Unless, of course, United are now a selling club. Unless the money paid for his transfer goes towards servicing debt rather than straight into the kitty. United might not need him, but they do need a world-class replacement.

Where else in the world would Rooney have received the guidance and support that he has done at Old Trafford? What other manager in the world would have shown the patience to allow the raw talent mature into a world-beater, even amongst the shows of petulance? Where else on this planet would Rooney have been learning from esteemed team-mates such as Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes? And where else would a manager have shielded him from the outside world in times of trouble as many times as Sir Alex?

Yes, he was superb last season. But let's not forget that until last season, he hadn't come close to scoring 20 league goals in a season. Manchester United have won three league titles and a European Cup with Wayne Rooney scoring no more than 23 goals in all competitions in a season. That can be replaced.

It would be unfair to blame all this on the allegations about his private life. We will all have our opinions, and mine is that Rooney has been so poor this season [and at the World Cup] that it must have had some effect - not only on his performances, but also on his reasons for wanting to leave United.

He may indeed still love the club, but the petulance still exists, as shown when Rooney completely undermined his manager last week. And the subsequent comments by Sir Alex may have just undermined Wayne Rooney's legendary status at Manchester United.

'Once a liar, always a liar?'

New Era Same Vibe - NESV begin life at Liverpool with derby defeat.

"I might be in a sample of one, but I honestly believe the team played well today."

You said it Roy.

Is there any better reason to return to the wonderful world of blogging than the need to annihilate the team you hold beloved?

Let me get one thing straight. This [return] was a long time coming. It is not simply wanting to vent frustration and anger. I'm sure you can make your own mind up though.

Where to start then?

I'll begin by apologising for the fact that Maxi Rodriguez is missing from below. As yet, there are no signs of Maxi apologising for being missing at Goodison Park today, as Everton deservedly thumped their local rivals into 19th place in the Barclay's Premier League.

It's hard to lay all the blame on the doorstep of Mr Hodgson. He may well be ruing his decision to give up a position of worship in SW6, as suggested by Sir Alan Lord Sugar - or whatever he wants to be addressed as. The fact is that the squad he has inherited - and indeed his own additions - is simply not good enough.

Jose Reina, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres aside, the current Liverpool crop are average, at best. Throw in the fact that these three have been well below par for much of the season, and the outcome is that Liverpool are languishing exactly where they deserve to be. Even before things kicked off at Goodison Park today, there was a case to be made that Everton were a team in a position defied by their form. No such case can be made for their city counterparts.

Football purists will appreciate Jamie Carragher's footballing career. Carragher will certainly appreciate his new contract. At the heart of the defence, his presence keeps him afloat - just about. Presence and passion does not make a good full-back. It helps, but without pace and an ability to cross the ball, the next two years won't nearly be as frustrating for Carragher as it will be for Liverpool fans.

Martin Skrtel's early promise as a Liverpool player seems to have disappeared. Alternatively, any striker worth his salt will know that there is nothing more uncomfortable at Anfield than Skrtel facing the ball at the feet of a player with pace and power (a la Yakubu). Well, with the exception of those 'Yanks Out' banners being smuggled out. Although it's not his fault he has to partner the hapless Sotirios Kyrgiakos. Paul Konchesky does not lack effort - he lacks quality.

I've never exactly championed Lucas Leiva - the 'Welsh Brazilian'. I've always believed he needed to be given time. Rafael Benitez must have seen something in him? And Hodgson must see something in him? How can two reputable managers have so much faith in him? Today's performance ensures I won't be championing Leiva any time soon. Your time is up, son.

Raul Meireles and Joe Cole are certainly class players. It seems, however, that after the adrenaline of Cole's move north wore off with an ill-judged challenge on Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny, he has lost the ability to unlock a defence. Or find the target. Or beat the first man. Meireles has also failed to deliver. Hitting it from 30 yards is no good unless you can beat the sprawling, heart-and-head-on-the-line blue shirt throwing himself at you. Liverpool, take note.

A performance bereft of passion, lacking belief and missing quality. Playing Gerrard just behind Torres was effective when Torres had an inkling of form. It was also effective when Xabi Alonso was pulling the strings that Leiva and Meireles are fumbling. I would love to say that Everton were fantastic. They weren't. But they showed passion, belief, and enough quality. And David Moyes' men were more than good value for their victory.

If he lasts that long, Hodgson has a lot of work to do in January and beyond. Over to you, Mr Henry.