LONDON -- When Wayne Rooney was at his apex, he scythed through opponents with vigour and relentless energy, often doing so on the brink of reason, a snarling bull terrier of a player who could bare his teeth at any time.
Age has withered his temper as well as his legs, it appears. If the rage still burns within at 30, almost 31, it has lapsed into impotence. If a younger Rooney was off his game, he would seethe as he tried to power himself back into form. The body no longer allows him the chance to do that.