Manchester United vs. CSKA Moscow: Louis Van Gaal's Key Quotes from Presser

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal insisted that he has not lost confidence in Wayne Rooney ahead of the Red Devils' Tuesday UEFA Champions League group clash against CSKA Moscow.

The Dutchman also gave his backing to out-of-form winger Memphis Depay, who missed out on Saturday's trip to Crystal Palace with an injury ahead of being omitted from the Netherlands squad for their upcoming friendlies, per the Manchester Evening News' Simon Bajkowski. 

Red Devils skipper Rooney has looked a shadow of his former self this season, and many have questioned why Van Gaal keeps including him in his starting XI, per the Guardian's Jamie Jackson.

On Monday, Van Gaal said he still has confidence in the 30-year-old Englishman, per the Guardian's Daniel Taylor:

He was also generous in his praise for Memphis, suggesting the 21-year-old is one of the great young talents, per Jacob Murtagh in the Mirror: 

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I have said he is the greatest talent of his age but he is only 21 and you cannot expect consistency. He is at a stage of his career where he must adapt to many things. 

I’m convinced he’s coming back maybe stronger than before but we have to give him time, like we will with [Anthony] Martial when he is a little bit lower in his shape.

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United currently sit second in Group B in the Champions League, tied on points with CSKA. A victory on Tuesday would push them to seven points from four games and closer to a spot in the knockout stages.

However, they need to find their scoring boots having endured three 0-0 draws in succession against Manchester City, Middlesbrough and Palace.

A return to form for Rooney would be incredibly helpful, but Memphis will not be back in time to turn out against the Russian outfit, per United:

Van Gaal rubbished recent suggestions that United are ineffective in attack, insisting their recent goal drought is merely a momentary blip, per United:

Undoubtedly, United's most potent attacking threat this season has been Frenchman Anthony Martial, and Van Gaal has been criticised for fielding him on the left flank in recent matches.

The Dutch manager conceded on Monday that the 19-year-old's best position is as a central striker but failed to confirm whether he would play there against CSKA, per Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News:

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I’m always thinking in the team’s benefit and not in the benefit of one player and I have said I have to make all the decisions around the game plan and the opponent, so it’s not I have said left wing is his best position, but he can play in three positions in his eyes - left, striker and No.10. I think his best position may be the striker’s position. He is very young but I think it is better he develops in the striker’s position. 

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United claimed a point against CSKA when the pair met in Russia last month. Van Gaal's side need to better that result at home if they are to go into the last two matches of the group campaign with a good chance of making the last 16.

The Red Devils need to rectify their recent ineffectiveness in front of goal if they are to triumph.

Van Gaal has the players to engineer a decent win against CSKA, he simply needs to find the right formula— perhaps by playing Martial through the middle.

Anything other than a win on Tuesday and the Dutchman will come under increasing pressure, but a convincing European victory could act as a major boost for United heading into the packed winter period.