Manchester United Manager Louis Van Gaal Considers Sending Wayne Rooney On A Holiday

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney’s well publicised goal drought has been acknowledged by manager Louis van Gaal, as he now aims to resolve the problem if Rooney accepts being sent on a holiday.

A few days ago, Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal admitted that he has a problem on his hands, but has now been coaxed into talking about resting captain Wayne Rooney, with his side having drawn a blank in their last three fixtures.

Rooney, who has been heavily criticised for his goal drought, finds himself in a precarious situation, as he needs to quickly rediscover his goal-scoring touch. With only two Premier League goals this season, England legend Alan Shearer was seen suggesting that the current England captain be given time off to relax to help him recover his midas touch.

It wouldn’t be the first time that Rooney has needed some time off to regain his form, as Sir Alex Ferguson granted a week’s leave to the English forward in 2010 to help him regain his fitness and form.

Shearer’s suggestion seems to have been liked by Van Gaal, who reacted positively and was quoted as saying by the Daily Express:

“Yes, I would consider it but not only for Wayne. I have done that for all my players. I have done that, for example with Paddy McNair who was in Ireland last week. When we think it is for the best, I will do that. It is not a big issue for me because even when I was a young trainer-coach, I did it at Ajax with Jari Litmanen, he had problems in the months of November and December, so I did it. I sent him on holiday.

“That is not a big issue for me but it is more a big issue for the players. They are not so easy to convince.

Rooney – a No 9 or a No 10?

The Red Devils’ captain’s position in the team in future games has been intensely debated among fans and pundits alike, with the former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson predicting in the past that he believes Rooney’s future position would be in the midfield and not as a forward or number nine.

The Englishman’s style of play with a high work rate resembles more that of a midfielder rather than a star centre forward, and his current goal drought further adds fuel to the suspicion behind his real position. Even former United teammate Paul Scholes was seen adapting to a more deeper role in midfield with age and can prove to be an example in elongating Rooney’s career in the top flight.