LVG favours Roo in the middle

LOUIS van Gaal believes Manchester United play better when Wayne Rooney is deployed in midfield.

His United team had to battle their way to an unconvincing 3–1 league win over Burnley. United were slow and lacked creativity in attack. Van Gaal admitted he fears the support he has received from the club’s fans may be ebbing away.

“I heard the first whistles,” the United boss said. “That is a concern because we are playing for the fans.”

The Dutchman is right to be worried after the latest showing - in which Chris Smalling scored twice and Robin van Persie added a late penalty.

Part of the reason for the slowdown was that Rooney was pushed into a defensive midfield role in the second half after Daley Blind hobbled off.