SACRILEGE

Last updated : 04 March 2005 By Editor

On the eve of Cantona Day Ian Dowie seems to think that Wayne Rooney will be as big as the King himself.

"I think that short fuse will change with Wayne. We all did things when we were 18 or 19 - I know I did. Some of the dance routines I came up with at university were embarrassing. We have all done silly things," said Dowie.

"But let's not expect 19-year-old boys to be any different than 19-year-old boys just because they are footballers. You have got to let people make mistakes.

That is how they learn. Rooney is still young and Cantona came as an
established player.

"Rooney is an outstanding player. He is a total footballer. There is nothing he
can't do. It is scary what he can achieve in the game and he is only 19.

"Cantona had gravitas, that aura. I think Rooney is a bit more down to earth but he can develop into that big, big personality."

"Eric knew he had that personality and the ability and that will take time for
Wayne to develop."

''Rooney had a wonderful summer and has carried that on.

''His touch is sublime, and he also has that ability to drop deep and play"