Manchester United are not set up properly - there is too much sideways and backwards movement

If Wayne Rooney is to play as the frontman, he has to have players running on beyond him

Wayne Rooney (PA)

It’s right to say that the way United are set up is the cause of Wayne Rooney’s struggle this season. There is too much sideways and backwards movement, not enough penetration, and when everything is so slow then of course Rooney will find the going tough.

A striker wants balls into the box from the byline and that’s what United forwards like Ruud van Nistelrooy and Andy Cole thrived on. How many times did we see full-backs, Gary Neville, Patrice Evra, even Rafael, going to the byline to cross, giving United width? In part, the lack of width stems from personnel problems. Luke Shaw provided some before he was injured and, with Matteo Darmian out of the side there’s no natural width. But a manager can create it by telling players to provide it.

We’re also seeing the lack of midfielders looking for Rooney’s runs, which Paul Scholes has pinpointed, as another reason for the player’s frustrations. But, as I’ve been saying for weeks, if Rooney is to play as the frontman, he has to have players running on beyond him. That way, Rooney ends up deeper, rather than operating as the frontman who’s asked to stretch defences. He is the best English player with back to goal – and not the type you want on a defender’s shoulder. Anthony Martial provides that kind of pace. Van Gaal has the weapons. He could deploy them more effectively.