Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has said that he will continue to play striker Wayne Rooney in a central midfield role.
The United talisman has helped the club retain a seven-game win streak, with them returning to their winning ways after a poor start to the season. Van Gaal has now stated that he believes Rooney’s versatility on the pitch has been a major advantage for his squad, with him having scored or assisted 96 goals in their past 100 Premier League games.
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“Against Aston Villa, hewas more of a defensive midfielder,” Van Gaal said of Rooney. “He has the ability to run from box to box – that is also a little bit that he has to feel in the match, to read in the match that he can do that. That is a matter of time and I believe that he can do that.”
Van Gaal made the tactical admission in an interview with MUTV, where he also revealed that he would be giving the players Christmas Day off, a break from tradition that will surely please the squad.
“I have changed that, I have given them free time and Christmas day with the family,” the Dutch manager said. “We shall come together the next day here at our Aon Training Complex. Then we will have all of the meetings like we have done all season.”
Manchester United next meet up with Newcastle at Old Trafford on Boxing Day, where they look to increase their win streak to an impressive eight games.
Photo: Getty Images
