Wayne Rooney will be central to Louis van Gaal’s plans this season as Manchester United boss backs captain to lead attack

Wayne Rooney had a spell as a holding midfield player last season
Strikers Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie have left this summer
The Manchester United captain scored just 14 goals last season

Published:
21:34 GMT, 19 July 2015

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Updated:
05:06 GMT, 20 July 2015

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Louis van Gaal has told Wayne Rooney that he will be Manchester United’s main centre forward this season.

After years of being shunted around the pitch to suit United’s needs – including a spell as a holding midfield player last season – the United captain has been assured that his position will be right at the top of his team’s formation for the forthcoming campaign.

United may well buy another striker between now and the closure of the transfer window to help make up for the departure of Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie.

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Wayne Rooney (right) played as a central striker against Club America in Seattle on Friday

Rooney has been told he will line up there when United’s season begins against Tottenham on August 8

The United captain has been assured that his position will be right at the top of his team’s formation

Rooney leads out his United team-mates for training at CenturyLink Field in Seattle earlier this week

Rooney signs autographs for a thong of United fans during his side’s pre-season tour in Washington

Rooney vies for possession with former Southampton defender Luke Shaw during training

United boss Louis van Gaal has backed Rooney to lead the Red Devils attack for the forthcoming campaign

However it is understood that Van Gaal and chief executive Ed Woodward are relaxed about the situation and feel that the days of United having four frontline strikers are gone. They believe Rooney will flourish and return to his goal scoring best if he is used properly this coming season.

Having bought Dutch forward Memphis Depay and already boasting players like Angel di Maria and Juan Mata in his squad, Van Gaal is convinced that Rooney will have all the support he needs to dramatically increase his scoring rate.

Certainly the 29-year-old will look to improve on last season when he was played in many different positions and scored just 14 goals, the lowest total for a United leading goal scorer for 33 years.

Van Gaal is confident that Rooney will be ably supported by the likes of Dutch recruit Memphis Depay (left)

Rooney played as central striker during United’s opening pre-season tour game against Club America in Seattle on Saturday and has been told he will line up there when United’s Barclays Premier League season begins against Tottenham on August 8.

United are following up their interest in Sampdoria goalkeeper Sergio Romero. The Argentine, who played for Van Gaal at AZ Alkmaar, is wanted to replace current No 2 keeper Victor Valdes who is on his way out of the club. Sources at Old Trafford have confirmed the club’s interest but have refused to comment on suggestions he is set to have a medical.

Meanwhile the departed Van Persie has spoken for the first time since he left United for Fenerbahce earlier this month and has claimed his relationship with Van Gaal changed during last season.

‘I asked to play in the reserves, to get my minutes, but after that was on the bench again,’ Van Persie told the Sunday Times.

Robin van Persie (right) has spoken for the first time since he left United for Fenerbahce during the summer

‘The atmosphere changed between me and Louis [van Gaal] and people at the club saw it, but I was always professional.

‘I was still thinking we could come back from holiday and start from scratch, but when I came back it wasn’t an honest battle any more. Fighting to get back in the team wasn’t given to me as an option.

‘I didn’t get angry or emotional. These things are part of football, part of life. You have to make the best out of any situation so I’m doing this by moving on.’