Louis van Gaal open to giving Wayne Rooney a break, but says Manchester United captain is 'an example for the whole team'

United have failed to score in each of the last three matches

(Getty Images)

Louis van Gaal has said he is open to giving Wayne Rooney some time off, although simulateneously hit back at critics of Manchester United and his skipper as he prepares for a Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow on Tuesday.

United have failed to score in each of their last three matches while Rooney has just two goals in 10 Premier League matches this season and has generally looked off the pace.

Van Gaal's slow, methodical style of play has been criticised, including by Paul Scholes, with Manchester United always dominating possession but creating more chances than only two other teams in the division this season - Aston Villa and Sunderland occupy the bottom two positions in the league.

"It was not always a big Theatre of Dreams. I am sorry to say that but it is logical also. Now we are making, hopefully, history but it takes time," Van Gaal said today.

"Now we are the best defenders of the Premier League, you say we cannot attack and it’s not true. It’s only a moment in a process. It’s a bad period when you don’t score. Football is scoring goals."

Van Gaal added: "I have still confidence in Wayne Rooney."

He continued: "Wayne Rooney is a fantastic player so expectation is much higher than another player in another club, but you have to also give players time to come back in a certain shape and that is what we are doing and I have confidence in this player but he gives also more than only scoring goals.

"He is our captain but also an example for the whole team. He has more credits than any other player. I have explained that to the group already one-and-a-half years ago."

(Oulala)

Alan Shearer has suggested Rooney should be given a fortnight off to "recharge his batteries".

Interestingly, Van Gaal would not rule out the possibility of giving Rooney time off in the future.

"Yes, but not only for Wayne," Van Gaal said when asked if he would consider giving Rooney a break.

"I have done that for all my players. I have done that, for example Paddy McNair was a week in Ireland last week.

"When we think it is better, I do that. It is not a big issue for me because even when I was a very young trainer-coach I did it with Jari Litmanen, he had problems in the months of November and December, so I did it. I sent him on holidays.

"That is not a big issue for me but it is more a big issue for the players. They are not so easy to convince."

The Dutchman has also been criticised for playing Anthony Martial out on the left wing rather than through the middle.

"I think his best position is the striker’s position but he needs to develop himself still," he said.

"He is very young but I think it is better he develops in the striker’s position.

Memphis Depay has also been strongly criticised and dropped from the Netherlands national team.

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

Morgan Schneiderlin missed training on the eve of the game against CSKA because of a "personal issue", but could be available for selection.

Phil Jones trained away from the rest of the squad on Monday morning, but is available. Memphis Depay also trained separately from the group, but is not expected to feature at Old Trafford.