Van Gaal: Balance is more important than Rooney

Posted Wednesday, January 07, 2015 by Thepeoplesperson.com

Louis van Gaal claims Wayne Rooney could be dropped if the balance of the team is not right with the captain playing in the midfield.

Rooney has been in top form this season, particularly since returning from suspension in November. A lack of games meant Rooney missed a whole month and the rest seemed to do the captain a world of good.

Since returning, Rooney scored the opener against rivals Liverpool from midfield before adding two more against Newcastle with late runs into the box, mirroring Paul Scholes at his peak.

But despite his good form and the fact he can also play up front or behind the striker, van Gaal will drop Rooney if things aren't working out.

"It’s dependable on how the balance in the team is. I need balance in the team. I’m looking for the balance,” van Gaal declared.

"I don’t know if I shall use him always because it’s also dependable of the form of the strikers.

"He’s also a very good striker so I can use him on different positions and I like that because I like multi-functional players. I normally buy more multi-functional players than specialists,” he admitted.

Van Gaal's claim he also wants to work with 'young people' will spark fear in the minds of Rooney and his strike partners Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie, all of whom will be in their thirties when van Gaal's three years at Old Trafford is up.

Should the Dutchman remain beyond that, their could be a changing of the guard coming up at Old Trafford.