Louis Van Gaal Warns Wayne Rooney and Vows to Use Manchester United Youngsters

Those unfamiliar with Louis van Gaal prior to his move to Manchester United would have been made wholly aware of his ruthless streak during the 2014 World Cup. The then-Netherlands boss harboured no time for reputations, with captain and star striker Robin van Persie hauled off at critical times in big matches for the sake of the team.

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Now in his role as manager of the Red Devils, it seems his current captain Wayne Rooney, despite a string of functional displays at the heart of midfield, may not be safe from the axe either, with the United boss insisting the well-being of the team is most important, per MUTV (h/t Kieran Gill of the Mail Online):

"

It’s dependable on how the balance in the team is. I need balance in the team. I’m looking for the balance. 

I hope to perform better because then the game shall be more attractive. I don’t know if I shall use him (Rooney) always because it’s also dependable of the form of the strikers. 

"

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Indeed, while Rooney’s versatility has been a joy for the managers he has worked under throughout his distinguished career, from an individual perspective it’s probably done him more harm than good. For club and country he’s often been moved into a wide role to "do a job" or "fill a gap" for the team, and such is his temperament, he never kicks up a fuss.

The 29-year-old’s latest change of role has seen him deployed in central midfield next to Michael Carrick. And, yet again, he’s played well in an unfamiliar area, as noted by Bleacher Report’s Graham Ruthven:

His best position remains at the sharp end of the pitch, though, something that’s abundantly clear given his exceptional goalscoring record, per Squawka:

But with Van Persie and Radamel Falcao in situ, there’s clearly a major battle for places in the striker berths and Rooney's adaptability has allowed Van Gaal to accommodate all of their goalscoring talents in an XI.

That doesn't make the aforementioned trio guaranteed starters, however; the Dutchman has also claimed there are a host of younger players ready to vie for a spot in the team too, per Gill’s aforementioned piece:

"

I have had the time to know all my players. That’s another exciting time because that’s why I became a manager. 

I want to work with young people. It keeps you young and you can make a team out of it. Now we are still building up and in the process.

"

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There’s a clear credence to his words as well. After all, Tyler Blackett, Paddy McNair and James Wilson have all regularly been selected by the manager during his maiden campaign. In terms of youth development, that’s an undeniably positive facet of Van Gaal’s management style.

Some players have an irrepressible influence, though, and after over a decade at Old Trafford, Rooney is a player who needs to be at the crux of this team’s development going forward. There are few players in the current squad who know the club as well as the iconic No. 10 and will be key in helping the manager expedite the progression of the next generation.

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Perhaps these words from Van Gaal are merely geared toward giving his skipper an extra edge to his play. Up to now, Rooney has featured in pretty much every game whenever he’s been available and when you consider how he’s been shuffled around the team this season, his performances have been admirable.

Maybe his manager just wants a little bit more from him? But if Van Gaal wants to get the best out of his captain, he should give him a prolonged run of games in a forward berth.

However, given the amount of injured midfield players mounting up on the back of a draining festive period, Rooney may have to “do a job” at the heart of this United team for a little longer yet.