Report: Rooney Learned of Manchester United Dropping When He Arrived at Stoke

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It seems Louis van Gaal can do little to ease the pressure on himself.

The Manchester United boss caved in to calls for Wayne Rooney to be dropped, axing his captain in a high-risk, but ultimately unsuccessful, gamble for the visit to Stoke on Boxing Day.

The Red Devils went on to lose 2-0 at the Britannia Stadium, and the England striker only learned of his demotion upon arrival at Stoke, reports the Mirror's John Cross.

Rooney was injected into the action at half-time, but he could not inspire a much-needed comeback as United's attention turned to Monday evening's home game against Chelsea.

Much like his manager, Rooney has been under fire this season after scoring just two Premier League goals in 14 appearances.

The 30-year-old broke Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time England goalscoring record earlier this season, but he has endured a horror run of form with his club, for whom he has failed to score since November 3.

[Mirror]