City won the Manchester derby 2-1, so there's no way the following observations on England and Manchester United's captain can be categorised as 'sour grapes' or the grunts of a sore loser.
Wayne Rooney is thoroughly despicable on the field of play, at each and every sky blue versus red derby day. He is a cheating, conniving and manipulative 'has-been' who, as his once great talents recede quicker than his hairline, resorts more and more to pathetic and ridiculous histrionics in an attempt to get his own way.
Without fail he whinges, whines and appeals for phantom penalties, getting in the face of every referee every time. His default stance is to throw his arms out wide - crucifixion style - as if to symbolise his self deluded persecution.
Rooney would have us believe he is always the victim and never the sinner.
Without fail he is reckless when faced with adversity, throwing hissy fits, seemingly unperturbed if he injures opponents, exaggerating opposition tackles/fouls and urging refs to yellow and red card opponents here, there and everywhere.
He loves to dish it out, clattering into tackles, but when a warrior like Nicolas Otamendi stands up to the bully boy on the block, Rooney becomes all mouth and no trousers - and what a mouth.
How Rooney managed to stay on for the 90 odd minutes of City's convincing win is beyond the wit of those who weren't wearing red-tinted glasses at the Theatre of Screams on Saturday.
The supposed clampdown on players showing dissent and verbally abusing officials seemed to fall on deaf ears where Mark Clattenburg and his assistants were concerned.
Rooney with a mouth as wide as the Mersey, never stopped, and certainly seemed to invite 'Mark' - as Mourinho affectionately referred to Clattenburg after the match - to go forth and multiply, as Wayne's toys came out of the pram.
Rooney nigh on got his expensive and ill-conceived hair transplant off with Pep Guardiola, when City's manager had temporary charge of the ball, before a United throw-in.
So how and why does 'Shrek' - the not so affectionately term applied to Rooney by City's fans - get away with it time and time and time again?
Is it because he's the Captain of England and therefore afforded more leeway?
As the skipper of our lamentable under-achieving national side, Rooney is supposed to be some sort of role model, one which kids and younger players should look to as a shining example.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Blimey, even the bulk of United fans want him, and his £300k-a-week salary, gone.
From a City perspective, the Blues will be delighted if the vanquished Trafford Troglodytes hang on to him for years to come, at great expense and ever diminishing returns.
'Wazzer' was once a very dangerous foe - never in a million years 'world class' - but most definitely a fearsome opponent, who presently holds the record (11) for most goals scored in Manchester derbies.
Obviously that record will fall to Sergio Aguero in no time at all - if the FA stop banning the Argentine super striker from City and United encounters.
In the meantime it can only be to City's advantage to keep seeing Wayne - as wearisome as his antics have become - line up in the red ranks.
By David Walker
www.readbutneverred.com@ReadButNeverRed @djwskyblu
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