Louis van Gaal Hits Back at Media over Wayne Rooney in Manchester United Presser

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal hit out at critics of team captain Wayne Rooney during his press conference ahead of the Red Devils’ Champions League clash with Club Brugge.

The striker was anonymous in United’s 1-0 win at Aston Villa, leading to some scathing assessments of the 29-year-old, with Martin Samuel of the Daily Mail branding Rooney “burnt out” and “ineffectual.” Van Gaal, who was in a boisterous mood, was perplexed by the criticism during his media session on Monday.

“All the media has written for one year that I have to put him in the striker’s position,” said the Dutchman, per Ben Burrows of the Daily Mirror. “So it’s amazing that after two games you’re doubting your own opinions, I cannot understand that.”

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Aside from young James Wilson, Rooney is the only orthodox striker available to Van Gaal, and in the early stages of the season, the United man has looked a little jaded. As we can see here, via BBC Sport, the England skipper struggled to get into the match at all on Friday:

Van Gaal was also quizzed on a few more of his players and was equally tetchy with his retorts, most notably when asked if David de Gea—whom the Dutchman said would not play until the end of the transfer window, per James Robson of the Manchester Evening News—would be getting an outing against the Belgian side.

“The question is not a good question,” he said of the goalkeeper, per Burrows' piece. “I don’t answer that anymore. I have said before what my view is.” De Gea continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid, per John Cross of the Daily Mirror. 

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Adnan Januzaj accompanied Van Gaal in front of the press on Monday, and after his winning goal on Friday, there has been a lot of discussion surrounding his spot in the team. The Red Devils boss insisted the youngster, like everyone else, has to work hard for his place.

“Last year he had eight starts and 14 sub appearances,” said Van Gaal, per Burrows. “To say he hasn’t had chances isn’t a fair assessment. Adnan has to compete with 24 players, he is 20 years old. Characteristics of young player is he isn’t consistent. He has to show it.”

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He was also quizzed on possibly playing Juan Mata centrally, providing a typically blunt response, per Burrows: "Maybe you should ask the United board if you are the trainer coach of Manchester United? When I say something the media puts it into another context. I have seen that with my words on De Gea."

The Dutchman is usually in fine form at these briefings, but there was an underpinning angst about his responses to the media on Monday. Perhaps he realises just how important this game is, or maybe he’s a little frustrated with goings-on in the transfer market, but he continues to tackle matters head-on, which will surely endear him to his players.

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Rooney’s role in the team going forward will be especially intriguing, but to brand him “burnt out” two games into the season is a little sensationalist. The England man is renowned for scoring in bursts and in the big games; with that in mind, a decisive moment against Brugge would be enough to spark his campaign into life.