United don't need Ronaldo and Tevez, they've got Rooney says Martins

30 September 2009 12:13
Obafemi Martins claims Manchester United are less predictable without CristianoRonaldo and Carlos Tevez. Most pundits assumed United would struggle without the high-profile duo, who quit Old Trafford for Real Madrid and Manchester City respectively during the summer. But so far, such views have proved less than accurate. ...when you've got Wayne Rooney insists Obafemi Martins On the back of seven successive wins, United have clambered to the Barclays Premier League summit, whilst also opening their current Champions Leaguecampaign with a highly significant triumph over Besiktas in Istanbul. Tonight, Martins hopes to help his new club, Wolfsburg, halt that run at Old Trafford. But the Nigerian knows it will be not be easy. The former Newcastle star has previously scored at Old Trafford, but he feels this United has more options than the ones he has encountered before. 'Even without Ronaldo and Tevez, I would say you face the same problems playing against United,' said Martins. 'In fact they are playing much better than before. When Ronaldo was on the pitch, everyone looked to him, expecting him to change the game when his team most needed it. 'But now United have a lot of players who can change a game, like Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Dimitar Berbatov. Even the defenders can score goals, so we must watch out for them all over the pitch.' Rooney is the man Martins is most wary of. The England striker is set to make his 50th Champions League appearance for United this evening, with Sir Alex Ferguson among those who believe the 23-year-old is destined for even bigger things. Having seen him operate at close quarters, Martins is not going to disagree. 'He is playing so well at the moment - he can destroy defenders in an instant,' he said. 'He is scoring goals, maybe more goals than before, and he is helping the team in lots of other ways as well. He is a player we need to be very careful of.'

Source: Daily_Mail