Wayne Rooney once again played at the heart of Manchester United’s midfield against West Ham on Sunday and failed to shine in his new position.
Louis van Gaal spoke extensively last week about his captain being ‘multi-functional’ but it just isn’t happening for Rooney, and it’s certainly not helping him catch Sir Bobby Charlton’s record.
Rooney hasn’t scored in 2015. He hasn’t even had a shot on target and the good form he showed in the position before the turn of the year has disappeared.
Whilst he tries hard, wins headers and throws himself into tackles, he has been unable to impose himself on matches as he would as a striker or even as a no.10.
Rooney struggled against West Ham and frustrated fans want to see him played in his natural position:
Rooney in midfield isn't the answer, though I didn't think he was that bad today. RVP and Falcao as a partnership still isn't working.
— United Mancunian (@UtdMancunian) February 8, 2015
…concession of a goal to spark us in to life. The Rooney experiment is a nonsense, as is the freezing out of our most creative midfielder.
— Richard Cann (@RichardCann76) February 8, 2015
Rooney didn't touch the ball once in the West Ham box? Blimey.
— Manchester United (@MUFC_POAE) February 8, 2015
Rooney in midfield isn't working. New Scholesy? Nah, he gives the ball away too much.
— Adam McKola (@AdamMcKola) February 8, 2015
There’s no doubting Rooney’s work rate, passion and effort in a midfield battle against a side such as West Ham but United are losing so much quality from their team by hindering Rooney’s better attributes.
But van Gaal seems to see something in the solution that supporters are missing and therefore we should probably expect to see him in midfield again when Burnley visit Old Trafford on Wednesday night.