Louis van Gaal has insisted that Wayne Rooney will be his centre forward next season, according to The Mirror. Despite experimenting with the England captain in a variety of midfield positions last season the Manchester United boss has assured Rooney he will be the central striker in his favoured 4-3-3 formation. The 29-year-old will be accompanied by two inside forwards and will get the chance to recreate the form he showed in 2011/12 season where he scored 34 goals. The former Everton attacker will relish the chance to score goals again and with Memphis Depay, Juan Mata and Angel Di Maria providing him with opportunities the striker shouldn't be short of chances. Rooney played centre midfield 14 times last season, scoring three goals and making one assist but never looked completely comfortable. New boys Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger have strengthened the Red Devils midfield and means Rooney can concentrate on playing in his preferred role.
NCTJ-accredited football writer with an MA in Sports Journalism. What Culture football editor. Write for the official Newcastle United programme. Former video reporter at North News. Featured and published in the Sunderland Echo, Shields Gazette, Mail Online, The Mirror, The Sun and others.
