Van Gaal Has Backed Himself into a Corner by Giving Rooney 'Privileged' Status

It's very rare for any manager to reveal publicly there are players in his squad who are almost guaranteed a place in the first XI.

It's very unlikely Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo would ever be dropped by Barcelona or Real Madrid, regardless of what kind of form they were in. They are too good for that.

But it would be dangerous for Luis Enrique or Carlo Ancelotti to say they're untouchable. As true as it might be, it might send out the wrong message to the rest of the squad.

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Manchester United haven't got a Messi or Ronaldo—one stand-out player the rest of the team is built around.

But at his weekly press conference on Friday, Louis van Gaal said Wayne Rooney had special "privileges" when the Dutchman comes to name his team because he's United's captain.

Van Gaal didn't say Rooney was undroppable. But his quotes, carried by the Manchester Evening News, suggest the armband gives the England striker some kind of special protection.

"I don’t think any player is fixed. Only the captain has more privileges but no other player has privileges I think. Every player knows that because when you see how I manage my teams," the United boss said. 

It stands to reason that Van Gaal would hand the captain's armband to a player he thinks will be a first-team regular. After all, it's difficult to lead from the bench.

But the piece of elastic around Rooney's arm shouldn't offer protection against a loss of form. 

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With the arrival of Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao this summer, there is more pressure on Rooney's place than ever before. After poor performances against Sunderland and Burnley, there were some United fans who believed he should have been dropped.

He has since put in better displays for England against Switzerland and for United against Queens Park Rangers, when he scored his second goal of the season, and deserves to keep his place for the game against Leicester City on Sunday.

But that might not always be the case.

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United's summer spend has given Van Gaal one or two selection headaches. He has one of the best forward lines in the world at his disposal. But it's difficult to see how he can fit Rooney, Falcao, Di Maria, Robin van Persie and Juan Mata in the same team.

There may be a time this season when Rooney's form, or lack or it, means he should be the one to miss out. Picking on form, rather than name or status, earns any coach more respect among his players.

Van Gaal has backed himself into a corner by revealing Rooney's "privileged" standing within the squad. It leaves very little room for manoeuvre should the striker's form drop off.

No one should be sure of their place, especially at a club like United. Not the most senior players, the most expensive or the best paid. Not even the captain.