Sir Alex Ferguson Talks Wayne Rooney, Louis Van Gaal, Manchester United and More

Although long departed from his post at the Manchester United helm, Sir Alex Ferguson continues to offer his insight to the goings-on at his former club, namely Wayne Rooney's faltering form under manager Louis van Gaal.

Ferguson spoke with ESPN FC's Shaka Hislop and insisted that despite scoring just one Premier League goal this season, Rooney can rediscover his prolific touch in what he termed as a simple matter of confidence:

"

All the strikers I had, everyone relied on their confidence. When they were scoring they think they can never stop, when they're not scoring they think they're never going get a goal, it's a fact.

When I was a striker I was the same; my dad used to say make sure you hit the ball, don't try and pass it in the net. Eric Cantona had it, [Ruud] van Nistelrooy had it, [Andy] Cole had it and then the rich stream comes along again and they're back to normal. I think we'll have to wait, it'll happen. [Rooney will] go on a run, don't worry about that.

"

Of course, finding that confidence is anything but simple for Rooney, a captain bearing the responsibility of ensuring one of the biggest organisations in the sport recaptures the success of glory days gone by.

Guardian columnist and rapper Boyadee has suggested that after breaking onto the Premier League scene so young—a massive 13 years ago—his stuttering in front of goal isn't anything to be surprised at:

Perhaps it's just a natural progression that Rooney (age 30 on Oct. 24) peaked as a youngster and wasn't built to maintain such heights, but Ferguson knows the striker as well as any other and believes he can make the bounce back.      

The former United chief also commented on United's chances of challenging for the Premier League crown this term and highlighted the fact the Red Devils squad has undergone drastic changes in recent years:

"

It's that kind of league, anyone can win it now. Leicester are the most consistent -- they've only lost one game. If we get to New Year up near the top, we'll have a good chance. 

[...]

[Van Gaal has] certainly made a lot of changes and he's bought (six) new players this year and, I think, five or six new players the year before. That takes time and it's not easy. Coming to Manchester United, you do need time. In my time, there was maybe Dwight Yorke who gave an immediate response -- he was fantastic from day one. They are not always like that; he was an exception. It normally takes some time, particularly if they come from abroad, to settle in.

"

United currently sit third in the English top flight and are looking to mount a title challenge after spending vast sums on squad improvement under Van Gaal.

But despite sitting just two points off leaders Manchester City and looking like serious contenders again, United rarely play attractive football under the new regime, according to Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News:

Neither Van Gaal nor Rooney will care much for glitz and glamour on the pitch if it were to restore their status as Premier League champions and lead to a renewed assault on the Champions League.

In order to do so and come upon success similar to that experienced under Ferguson, United will need leader figure Rooney back at his best, but each of those pursuits couldn't be further from certainty.

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

The fact is Rooney's year spent as a transitioning tool between attack and midfield may have stunted his development in a way few can appreciate, ending the era of the predator and enacting his time as a playmaker.   

Now it's possible England's recently confirmed all-time leading goalscorer is stuck in a limbo-like phase between the two, and there's no guarantee he—nor the "old Manchester United"—will ever make his return.