Three games into the Premier League season and Manchester United have just one goal to their credit. (They have two on the season, but the other was a Tottenham Hotspur own goal. Even more surprising; the one goal belongs to Adnan Januzaj. Wayne Rooney had a scoring strike waived off by an offsides call; and the play truly could have gone either way.
Given Rooney’s stature and reputation as a player, you would think he might have been given the benefit of the doubt. Manager Louis van Gaal believes that
“Wayne scored. Only it was not allowed.” (the Dutchman said in the post game news conference)
“When you see the television, it is very doubtful so you need eyes.” (here’s the footage by the way, watch on judge for yourself)
“It is doubtful and the rules are that when it is doubtful then do not flag. But it is also football and I have said already many times you need more equipment to help the referees and linesmen because it is not easy.”
The Captain of both Manchester United and England has now gone 858 minutes without a goal. Rooney has been ripped extensively by both fans and media alike this Premier League season. So much so that both Van Gaal and Rooney have addressed the criticism surrounding him.
In spite of United’s serious issues finding the back of the net in league play, Van Gaal maintains that they do not to need to go and buy a forward before the summer transfer window ends.
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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