Louis van Gaal believes the England captain could be his best striker…
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has admitted that captain Wayne Rooney could be a better player if he played him up front rather than in midfield, reports the Daily Telegraph.
SEE MORE
Manchester United Transfer News
Live Preston v Manchester United Streaming & FA Cup Preview
Manchester United Open Contract Talks With Much Improved First Team Regular
The Dutchman has persisted with playing the 29-year-old in central midfield while Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao have found goals hard to find up front this season. England manager Roy Hodgson recently mentioned that he will continue to play his skipper as a striker and van Gaal has reacted to this by admitting that the player could be better there.
Van Gaal explained that he was “maybe the best striker” at the club, and added, “I have explained already a lot of times that it is not because anyone is not a good player in my selection but you have to compare.”
He continued, “And I have to like what is the biggest contribution where a player can play, and other players also. It is the composition of the team and the composition is more important than the individual player, I’m sorry for that. In the composition of Mr Hodgson, Rooney is probably giving more contribution to the English team when he is playing in the striker’s position.”
The Red Devils next play Preston North End in the FA Cup fifth round. With Chelsea and Manchester City both knocked out of the competition the Mancunian side have a genuine chance at winning the competition. It could potentially be Rooney’s first ever FA Cup trophy.