Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has leapt to the defence of misfiring striker Wayne Rooney ahead of his side’s Champions League play-off against Club Brugge this week.
United have begun the Premier League season with two wins, however, Van Gaal’s side have been less than convincing.
Wayne Rooney has struggled to make an impact so far this season and has not yet managed a single shot on target playing as a lone striker.
The England international spent a majority of last season in a deeper position, and Van Gaal bizarrely used the opportunity to take a pot-shot at the media, saying it was them who asked for Rooney to feature in his more natural striker role.
“I think all the media has written that for one year and advised me I have to put him in the striker’s position,” Van Gaal is quoted as saying by Daily Star.
“So it is very amazing that after two matches you are doubting your own opinion, so I cannot understand that.
“I always have confidence in my players, but we don’t have only Wayne Rooney in the striker’s position.
“We have Adnan (Januzaj). He played in the USA (on the pre-season tour) in the striker’s position.
“I have given him that chance and he has shown he can do that. We have Chicharito and we have (James) Wilson – so I don’t think we have a lack of strikers.”
United face a tricky tie against Club Brugge for a spot in this season’s Champions League, and questions will begin to be asked over Van Gaal should the English giants fail to reach the tournament.
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