Probably itas because what happened to Michael Owen is fresh within our minds. Perhaps itas because we saw him burn so glaringly and then disappear. Probably itas since some harbour a nagging concern that itas occurring again. Maybe itas because thereas a fear that history is all about to repeat itself in the form of Wayne Rooney. Regardless of the reasons, Rooney can stay at a when he walks out at the Town Stadium here tomorrow night for Englandas emergency World Cup qualifier with Montenegro. He is 27 years of age, entering what must be the prime of his career, and yet doubts swirl around him. He has been replaced by Robin van Persie because the golden one at Manchester United. And Sir Alex Fergusonas choice to drop him for the game against Real Madrid early in the day this month was not as big a surprise because it once could have been. It used rumours that Ferguson has lost patience with Rooney and is considering trying to sell him at the conclusion of the summer season. Owenas career was cut short by his fragile human anatomy. Rooney can be an ox of a guy but his fragility lies in his disposition. And so the match against Montenegro, the tie that holds the important thing to Englandas diploma for next yearas World Cup, comes at a crucial amount of time in Rooneyas profession. It is a fit where he can show that he can continue steadily to flourish, not disappear. And if he can help lead the team to an optimistic result, it is a fit that can enable him to start out dreaming about creating a important effect at the tournament in Brazil. To begin with, he must hold his discipline. The pictures of what happened the final time he enjoyed here still remain. The ball bouncing off him as he tries to control a cross nearby the halfway line. Miodrag Dzudovic Rooney hustling him, getting person and tugging at him. Giving Dzudovic a large and Rooney losing his temper kick to the back of the leg. Dzudovic going down. Rooney knowing straight away whatas coming. The umpire getting out his red card. That dismissal gained Rooney a two-match bar and he missed Englandas beginning games at Euro 2012. Off grid: England's Wayne Rooney (C) is given a red card through the Euro 2012 group G qualifying football match Montenegro vs England in Podgorica Getty When he did finally look at the competition, after an ill-judged summer vacation in Nevada, he never appeared properly fit healthy. If he can steer clear of the self-destruct switch, though, there's no reasons why he shouldn't remain Englandas most critical person. That's partly what has cost him in the past. That and simple bad luck. Injury ruined his 2006 World Cup and likely Acontributed to his problem this year, too. Nevertheless the repeated criticism that he has never quite lived up to the stellar starting to his job at Euro 2004 doesnat bunch up. He has obtained 34 objectives for his country now and if he stays clear of the incidents that blighted Owenas career, he will surely break Sir Bobby Charltonas England scoring record. He has performed in three finals and won the Champions League with United. He's got four Premier League winnersa medals and is about to obtain a fifth. All but the harshest critics would have to accept that he's already had a fantastic career. He suffers, of course, when comparing to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. But are those comparisons actually fair? Rooneyas talent might not be as extravagant as Messias or ARonaldoas but he's an alternative type of player. In many ways, in reality, he's the best team player. Match after match, his own talent is sacrificed by him for the good of the medial side. He'll perform on the left side of midfield when Ferguson requires him to, although many feel it's a waste of his ability. He was Ronaldoas workhorse when the two men played at Old Trafford together and now he's getting Van Persieas also. He shouldn't be denigrated for that, though. He ought to be praised for it. Particularly when he has this kind of wonderful scoring record for club and country. There is no place drawing any broader conclusions about Englandas leads from their mauling of San Marino on Friday evening. But Rooney was Englandas most readily useful person in the 8-0 gain, dropping deeply, spraying luxurious moves round the message, working hard, rating an excellent free-kick. There is no reason why he shouldn't be as significant tomorrow night in the hostile atmosphere of the Town Stadium. He is still Englandas stand-out adversary, still the person effective at turning the overall game with an outstanding move or a spectacular target. He has not suffered the kind of incidents that Owen suffered. Control, on and off the subject, is his Achilles heel. If he can grasp that, he can function as man not just who makes the difference against Montenegro but who makes an effect at an important contest for the first time in a decade. Our love for him was once, like Buddy Holly sang, abigger compared to the Cadillaca. Beginning tomorrow night, itas time and energy to discover whether that love will get back, maybe not fade. Getty The highs and lows of Wayne Rooney's time at Manchester United
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