3. Drop Rooney or play him behind Martial
What is absolutely clear from Wayne Rooney’s flop showings is that he can’t play as a striker anymore. He doesn’t have that willingness to move in behind, nor the goal scoring instincts or the pace that a striker needs. Martial is more of that hungry for goals, speedy and fox in the box striker that Manchester United need to field up top.
Rooney has to be dropped if van Gaal doesn’t play him behind the striker. He has looked sharp and impressive in the hole in games such as that one against CSKA at home especially and he was seen linking up with the likes of Lingard and Martial very well indeed. He seems to be a better player with his back to goal rather than his back to the midfield, clearly suggesting that he’s unsuitable to play up top again.