Wayne Rooney Hits Back at Critics of Louis Van Gaal and Manchester United

Wayne Rooney has "no doubts" Manchester United will go on to be successful under Louis van Gaal despite the Red Devils currently toiling in 12th place after winning just one of their five Premier League matches this season.

United are also out of the Capital One Cup and have no European football to enjoy after finishing seventh last campaign. Van Gaal's installation as manager has brought in world-class players—with Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao among those joining the club—but hasn't improved results that were also failing under David Moyes.

Rooney believes in his team-mates and manager, as posted on Facebook, per the Press Association and via the Daily Mail: 

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There seems to be a lot of people who have written us off because of Sunday's result but I don't see it that way. When I look around our dressing room and see the quality we have and the manager's unbelievable attention to detail I have no doubts this team will be successful.

"

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Van Gaal recently named Rooney captain, a decision that was followed by his ascension to the role of England skipper. The talisman's form has been inconsistent with his new responsibilities, and he is yet to hit full stride this season despite scoring two and assisting two in five Premier League appearances, per WhoScored.com. He is representative of a United side that flaunts incredible attacking talent and daintiness in defence.

Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling continue to battle against injuries and poor form, leaving United exposed at the back. Youngster Tyler Blackett was recently sent off during the 5-3 defeat to Leicester despite growing in confidence after a run of games in the first team. United have conceded eight this campaign, not to mention four away at MK Dons, and continue to be hampered by lackadaisical displays in their own half.

Reports have begun to surface suggesting Michael Carrick will be deployed as an emergency centre-back upon his return from injury, per James Dickenson of the Daily Express. The central midfielder has struggled in this position before and could easily be exploited.

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All signs point toward Van Gaal failing to address his main needs during the recent transfer window, despite galvanising United's attacking ranks. Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, via Alex Harris of the Daily Star, criticised the Dutchman's negligence:

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The bigger picture at United is that they’re the biggest spenders in Europe and they didn’t buy a defender. They weren’t shocked that (Rio) Ferdinand was going but they let him go, (Nemanja) Vidic announced (he was leaving) in January. They’re the biggest spenders – how have they not addressed that? To spend that much money and not bring in a top class defender - that’s mismanagement.

"

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Former United defender Phil Neville believes Van Gaal must mobilise £100 million across the next two transfer windows "before they can even think about winning the title," per BBC Sport. Capturing the Premier League crown certainly seems unlikely for this squad—United are already eight points behind leaders Chelsea—but qualifying for the Champions League should remain this campaign's ultimate goal.

Rooney's confidence at hitting a stretch of form needs to engulf the team quickly. United face Everton, Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal before the end of November, meaning further points could be hard to come by. If the defence continues to leak goals, the likes of West Ham and West Brom will also provide upsets in the coming weeks.

The squad has been defined by its inability to string together wins across the past year. A difficult turn of fixtures suggests this is likely to continue until at least January, when Van Gaal will receive the chance to strengthen his defensive options once more. He must deliver at least one world-class centre-back when the winter arrives or else United's hopes of returning to Europe will evaporate for another year.