Will Van Gaal Spell Wayne Rooneyai??i??s Doom At Manchester United?

With Van Gaal taking over the reins at Manchester United after the World Cup, many believe that while the Dutchmanai??i??s experience will help steer the Red Devils back on course for success, he is very likely to clash with the big egos at Old Trafford, namely Wayne Rooney.

A staunch believer in promoting youth players into the first-team, Van Gaalai??i??s appointment at Old Trafford could be a mixed bag for Manchester United. While the Red Devils have in Van Gaal one of the most experienced and successful football managers in the world, the Dutchman is also known for clashing with his players and leaving a sour taste at each and every club he managed. An authoritative manager, Van Gaal is known to impose himself completely on his players and has often raised eyebrows by clashing with the ai???established playersai??i?? of his team.

Hence, it is perhaps quite natural to question the dynamics of the relationship between Van Gaal and Wayne Rooney once the Dutchman officially takes control at Old Trafford. While Van Gaal holds himself superior to every player in the squad, Wayne Rooney is known for his supreme sense of the self which has held the club hostage on more than one occasion. He clashed with Sir Alex Ferguson and was almost on his way out but was eventually cajoled by David Moyes into staying but only after signing a hefty new contract. The Englishman was believed to be in contention for captaincy and Moyes had plans to rebuild the squad around Rooney thus establishing his importance for the Red Devils.

Moyes 'Cajoled' Rooney Into Staying Back — Moyes ‘Cajoled’ Rooney Into Staying Back

However Louis Van Gaalai??i??s appointment might come as bad news for Rooney as Van Gaal is known for challenging the ai???established orderai??i?? and is often ruthless in his pursuit of success. Van Gaal approached his national team in a similar manner after sidelining Van Persie as he thought that the striker was a spent force. But Van Persie staged a brilliant come-back and is now considered by Van Gaal to be his ai???ideal captainai??i??. Hence Wayne Rooney will be aware that he might just slip down the pecking order and could even lose the Captainai??i??s arm-band to his fellow striker. Rooney has not had a successful season this year and has suffered from a lack of form and a string of injuries. His performance in the World Cup will be extremely crucial as questions are still being asked regarding Wayne Rooneyai??i??s position in the Manchester United starting eleven. Robin Van Persie is the most likely candidate to lead the teamai??i??s attack and while Rooney has played in a more supportive role in recent years, the presence of Juan Mata further complicates the matter. Mata prefers to play in the traditional No 10 role and hence Rooney will find himself competing directly with the Spaniard unless Van Gaal decides to deploy either of the player on the wings, a position that will not do justice to any one of them.

Hence, in the case of Van Gaal preferring Van Persieai??i??s partnership with Mata over Rooney, the Englishman could be reduced to a marginal role at Old Trafford, something which is sure to irk someone who has been used to being the darling of Manchester. Continued absence from the starting eleven could eventually force Rooney to leave Manchester United, something that he has previously only threatened to do during his career. There will be no shortage of suitors for his services if the situation does arise and it remains to be seen what the future holds for Wayne Rooney under the leadership of Van Gaal.

However the Dutch maestro is not one to judge a player by his reputation and gives his players a chance to prove their worth. Van Persie was able to claw his way back into the national team despite being sidelined for retirement and it will not be surprising to see a new Wayne Rooney emerge under Van Gaal who is known for getting the best out of his players. Rooneyai??i??s dedication and hunger is second to none at Manchester United and this might propel the striker to improve his game. Therefore it will be quite premature to think that Wayne Rooney is due to suffer under Van Gaal. His future lies solely in his own hands and it will be interesting to see how the Englishman handles the pressure of being put on the spot at Old Trafford.

Will Van Gaal Spell Wayne Rooneyai??i??s Doom At Manchester United?

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