Stewart Robson has insisted that Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney needs to drop back into a No.10 role.
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Speaking to ESPN FC, the 51-year-old was discussing United’s goalscoring problems this season which have seen them find the back of the net just 17 times in 12 Premier League games.
Only Crystal Palace and Liverpool have scored less goals among the top 10 teams, and a big part of that issue has been Rooney’s struggles when playing as the lone striker.
The 30-year-old has scored just two goals in 11 league games this season, but boss Louis van Gaal continues to stick by him which in turn sees summer signing Anthony Martial deployed on the left flank.
While the former Monaco starlet has had an impact in that role, as shown last week on international duty with France when setting up Olivier Giroud, there is an argument to suggest that his pace and movement as the lead striker would allow United to pose a bigger threat to their rivals.
That in turn would see Rooney drop deeper when he could enjoy more possession and make use of his unquestionable ability on the ball, and give him the chance to be a more creative force in this United side.
Robson will likely receive plenty of support with his preferred strategy for the Red Devils, but it remains to be seen whether or not Van Gaal switches things around any time soon.
Martial has had a significant influence on his new side so far this year having scored three goals in eight games in the Premier League. However, it is overall ability to run in behind defences and stretch the play that has made him a constant threat, and so a switch up front with Rooney playing behind could potentially give United an edge to their play.
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