Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal: Wayne Rooney is untouchable

Posted Monday, September 29, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk

LOUIS VAN GAAL has made one thing crystal clear in the bright new dawn he is trying to make shine over Manchester United - Wayne Rooney is the untouchable king of Old Trafford.

KING WAYNE: Louis van Gaal has insisted Wayne Rooney does not have to change

And that goes some way to explaining why his new skipper was given a complete pass for his moment of madness and sending off in a much-needed win over West Ham.

Rooney's crude, high, late hack from behind on Stewart Downing earned him an instant red card - and a three-match ban - for the third time in his United career.

It was unnecessary, inexcusable, inexplicable and could have cost his side at least a couple of points.

But Van Gaal would not even answer the question of whether he was having second thoughts about making Rooney his captain after the game.

And later on, the Dutch maestro was adamant that not only does Rooney not have to change, but he spoke in glowing terms about the responsibility the England star has taken on his shoulders since his appointment.

Van Gaal said: "For me he doesn't have to change. He just needed to do it in a more friendly manner.

"He said that to me afterwards. That the challenge was more unfriendly and that was maybe his biggest error because I think he did it at the right time.

"He is for me an example for the squad. That I saw in the USA and when he came back he kept that example and that's why I made him captain, because he is also a great player.

"And as you know, when you are my captain, you have more privileges, and you have to play always more or less, and I have to be sure of that, so that is also an argument. And I saw in advance that he would play a lot of times."

Rooney will not be playing a lot of times - for United at least - over the next month with a three match suspension coming up. Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal: Wayne Rooney is untouchable

With no European competition, it will mean Rooney cannot pull on a red shirt until November.

Van Gaal added: "Three games is a big miss, especially as I am thinking now he is playing at a good standard in his new role. And he likes to play there.

"And when he gets three matches it means also that my captain is away.

"He is a very important person, especially in my vision because not for nothing is he captain of this team."

As for the future, Van Gaal insists that Rooney's pledge that he will not make the same mistake again can be taken at face value with the boss insisting he has no concerns of history repeating itself.

Van Gaal said: "No, no, no. Because he came at once to me and said it was not his meaning to do it like that.

"I said to him you could have done that more 'friendly.' I can say it to you because I have already said it to him. Otherwise I would not say it."

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce gave a more balanced view of Rooney's rash behaviour and pointed out that referee Lee Mason had no choice but to flash red.

Allardyce said: "It was crazy and its irresponsible, you'll have to check on the rules because those rules are adhered to the letter almost when they say its reckless or dangerous or whatever category it has to come under, if he says that then that's it.

"We all know that lads trip up players but he give him a bit of a swipe, normally it's a little trip and they get the yellow card and they get on with it.

"But I think this was probably a little bit more but it give us a great chance and that's why we're so sick now."

After opening goals from Rooney and Robin van Persie, United's suspect defence leaked a goal to Diafra Sakho.

In a frantic finale Kevin Nolan had an 'equaliser' harshly ruled out for offside and teenage United debutant Paddy McNair capped a solid debut with a blinding clearance that saved a goal.

In fact, one of the few consolations for Van Gaal during his current injury crisis has been the emergence of youngster Tyler Blackett and, now, McNair.

Rooney said: "I saw the clearance he made at the end and I thought he was tremendous for us.

"This is probably one of the bigger tests a young defender can face, up against a team putting in lots of crosses into the box, but he took it and stood up to it, especially in the second-half.

"It won't get much tougher in terms of physical strength and aggression against him, but he dealt with it and we are all delighted with him.

"Although we let Tom Cleverley go on loan and Danny Welbeck go to Arsenal, we have brought in a young Manchester lad in Tyler Blackett who has played every game until today.

"Today was forced on the manager, but he has brought young Paddy in and it has shown he isn't afraid to throw young players in."