Manchester United has just one goal to their credit through the first three Premier League games. On the score sheet they have two (thanks to a Tottenham Hotspur own goal in the opener), and really Wayne Rooney could have easily added the third on Saturday, but the call went against him.
Still the attack has suffered this season, and United Manager Louis van Gaal refuses to publicly acknowledge it.
“I have a lot of options,” Louis Van Gaal said. “I have chosen Chicharito [Hernandez], because he is another type from Rooney, and we have also Fellaini, who is another type, then I have Wilson and Januzaj, so I don’t think we need a striker.
“If he is the best striker in the world then, yes, we need him, but if he cannot contribute in our eyes, then we won’t buy any striker. But when he does, we shall buy.”
Well, Van Gaal is probably just doing his job, saying the right things in public. He doesn’t want to to 1.) proverbially throw any of his players under the bus and 2.) talk up the need for a striker in public, therefore increasing the price. Behind closed doors though, Louis van Gaal is certainly aware of his less than optimal situation.
Now there’s plenty of picks to nit with what Louis van Gaal said above, but the first is his overlooking Memphis Depay. The only time United has shown us some scoring punch this season, the 3-1 win over Club Brugge in the Champions League playoff, Depay had two goals, and just blew a very easy chance to have a hat trick.
As for the signing “the best striker in the world” comments, it might be connected to the failed bid for Gareth Bale narrative. The remarks definitely fueled the ridiculous the laughable Neymar to United narrative.
Rooney needs just one more goal to equal Denis Law’s 171, and move into a tie for third on the club’s all-time leading league scorers. With seven more goals, he’ll tie Law for second all time on the club list. However, he’s off to a very rough start this season though. Pundits have ripped Rooney, and rightfully so, for his performances in the first two league games (as we’ve detailed here).
Yesterday, one ESPN FC pundit said Rooney is looking as bad as he ever has at any point in his career.
Louis van Gaal believes Rooney will get it turned around, and he also hit back at the media who have been heavily criticizing his team captain. At the same time, Van Gaal said he is happy with the current options his side has at the striker position, cooling off rumors that United are to buy a striker before the transfer window shuts.
“All the media has advised me for one year that I have to put him [Rooney] in the striker’s position, so it is very amazing that after two matches you are doubting your own opinion,” Van Gaal said. “I cannot understand that. I have always confidence in my players but we don’t have only Wayne Rooney in the striker’s position. We have Adnan Januzaj. He played in the USA [on United’s pre-season tour] in the striker’s position. I have given him that chance and he has shown he can do that. We have Chicharito [Hernandez] and we have Wilson, so I don’t think we have a lack of strikers.”
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is part of the FOX Sports Engage Network. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. He also appears regularly on numerous talk radio stations all across the country. Catch him Tuesdays on KOZN Omaha.
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