Wayne Rooney set for central role

Wayne Rooney will be Manchester United’s central striker for the upcoming season.

Rooney played in midfield for large parts of last season, but he will return to his favoured position as Louis van Gaal plans a 4-3-3 formation.

The departures of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao means United are somewhat short of cover with James Wilson and Javier Hernandez the only other two strikers in the squad and both have yet to prove themselves to the manager.

United have been linked with a number of strikers this summer but they have yet to bring in an attacker and Van Gall is prepared to put his faith in Rooney.
“We still have Rooney, he can play in the striker’s position, and all the media had written [he can] play there so I listened,” Van Gaal explained on the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.

“Also Chicharito [Hernández] and maybe Wilson. Maybe there comes a surprise.”
Hernandez will join up with the rest of the squad later this month after spending last season on loan at Real Madrid and Van Gaal has urged him to take his chance following Van Persie’s exit.
“Chicharito is coming on 25 July – he can prove himself again. Now Falcao and Van Persie are gone so his chances are better,” Van Gaal said.
Credit: Setanta Sport

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