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Louis van Gaal: 'It is amazing' that you are doubting Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney after just two matches

Van Gaal maintains that Rooney is the man to lead Manchester United

Tom Sheen
Tuesday 18 August 2015 10:02 BST
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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has no doubt that Wayne Rooney is the right man to lead his team's attack this season.

Rooney has had a poor start to the campaign playing as the lone striker, recording just one shot (off target) in the two 1-0 wins against Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa and having just one touch in the opposing penalty area at Villa Park - in injury time.

The 29-year-old spent much of last season in central midfield, but after the departures of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao, Van Gaal has decided to use the England captain in a traditional role up front and so far opted against bringing in more firepower.

Speaking ahead of the Champions League qualifier against Club Brugge on Tuesday night, Van Gaal maintains he has faith in the striker to fire this season.

"All the media has written for one year that I have to put him in the striker's position so it is very amazing that after two matches you already are doubting your own opinion. I cannot understand that," the United manager said in a spiky press conference.

"I have always confidence in my players but we don't have only Wayne Rooney in the striker's position.

"We have also Adnan Januzaj, Chicharito (Javier Hernandez) and (James) Wilson so I don't think we have a lack of strikers."

Januzaj, a surprise starter on Friday, scored the only goal at Villa Park. Van Gaal was far from effusive in his praise of Januzaj after the match, and the Dutchman again did not give the 20-year-old a ringing endorsement at Monday's press conference at Old Trafford.

Adnan Januzaj offered a reminder of his potential with his winning goal against Aston Villa

Van Gaal rejected the claim that he has not given enough playing time to the Belgian, who lacks consistency according to his manager.

"Adnan has eight starts last season and 14 substitutions (last season) so he didn't have any chances? This is not true," he said. "The other players have no right (to start). Only Adnan has a right? No. He has to compete with 23 or 24 other players.

"He is 20 years old. The characteristics of a young player is that he is not consistent. He has to show that. Maybe he can show it now this season. It is possible."

Although Januzaj did start eight times last term, he failed to have the same impact as he did the season before when he was a shining star under David Moyes. The Belgian failed to score for Van Gaal last season, but has no plans to leave.

"Last year was last year. This year is this year. I am happy at Manchester United and I am happy the way the manager worked with me so I don't have any issues with that," Januzaj said.

On the face of it, United drew the easiest opponent possible for the play-off, which will be completed next Wednesday when Van Gaal's men travel to Bruges. The Belgian team will certainly not pose as much of a threat as Lazio or Monaco would have done.

But, wary of the consequences of failing to qualify for the group stages of the competition, Van Gaal admits there is a lot riding on the two-legged tie.

"It's a lot of pressure because our aim and goal is to reach the Champions League," Van Gaal said. "It is difficult because of the draw and I think it is much more difficult because we have drawn Brugge and Brugge with its coach (Michel Preud'homme) can defend very good and they can attack also so it shall be a difficult match and that is why the pressure is high.

"All the players and the fans and the board want to participate in the Champions League but first you have to beat Club Brugge."

Van Gaal refused to divulge whether goalkeeper David de Gea would be considered for selection after missing the last two games in light of Real Madrid's interest in him.

"I don't answer that," he said.

Additional reporting from PA

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