[J-Stander]

Rooney hasn't been great in midfield and it's pretty poor that Herrera hasn't been given a proper go there.
His hands might be tied re rooney; he's on a massive wage and he's our captain, but if he doesnt see him as a striker and he isn't performing in midfield then he should be benched and Herrera should be stuck in. He clearly quickens our tempo and he's had a positive impact in the games he's played. It clearly isn't going to change though.

 

[matherto]

Yeah to be completely honest it's pointless us moaning about it. Nothing will change.

 

[.Rossi]

You wanna see a player like Herrera, watch something else
LVG has his own mindset and for the time being, Herrera ain't starting sadly .....As much as I want him

 

[Pexbo]

I think it all comes around to balance again with Van Gaal. It's not so much about the Number 10 role as we think of it positionally in terms of formations with the player behind the striker/s. I don't think he thinks as linerally as that.

I think the way he is looking at it is like this:

With 4 midfielders:

One is the holding midfielder- he can't play this at least not like Blind or Carrick can.

That leaves three positions - one is Rooney and one is Di Maria his captain and his best player.

Which leaves one position and with Rooney and Di Maria being attacking players he needs to address the balance with someone who offers more defensively. Fellaini being a great asset for defending set pieces and a physical presence in midfield.

Or if he shackles Rooney in the deeper more defensive role which he can play it means Herrera is fighting with Di Maria or Mata for the position behind the strikers.


What he needs to do is work his ass off on the defensive side of his game, fill out a bit and then be trusted to offer more of a rounded game.


Simply - if Van Gaal plays Herrera he has to adjust too much in his eyes and would have to sacrifice a better attacking midfielder.

 

[legball]

LVG did not "plan" to bench him all along. Stop this nonsense now. He was always in the starting XI until he got injured, then things changed. I don't understand how we are 3rd in the league table, and making progress in the FA cup and all Manchester United fans can do is bitch about ONE player being benched. The last time it was Mata, then Falcao, then Januzaj, now it's Herrera....I'm sure Mitten wrote an article on all of them. There's only a place for 11 players to start, LVG prefers 2 strikers for now, thinks Rooney doesn't cut it as a striker but still too valuable to drop, so moves him to CM [whether that's right or wrong is another matter]. There's two sides to a coin and ignoring the other side and focusing on one side couldn't be more myopic. If Herrera works hard enough, he'll get into the team, like Mata, Januzaj and Falcao did over time, then another player will be dropped and his fanboys will start another uproar. It's funny. Herrera still has it all to prove, he's a good player but many of you are starting to overrate him impact. If at the end of the season, LVG finishes 2nd or 3rd in the PL and wins the FA cup, I'll be satisfied with that, whether or not he used Herrera, it's his job to make big decisions, and this is one, you lot have to deal with it.

 

[Sultan]

@legball

Excuse people for debating. Hardly fanboyism. People are not jumping of high buildings due to Herrera not playing.

 

[Sultan]

How do you know Rooney does not cut it as a striker? I can't recall LvG ever saying or hinting such nonsense.

 

[matherto]

How do you know Rooney does not cut it as a striker? I can't recall LvG ever saying or hinting such nonsense.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...t-over-Wayne-Rooneys-future-as-a-striker.html

 

[Eric'sCollar]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...t-over-Wayne-Rooneys-future-as-a-striker.html

It was a simple opinion on a specific performance. He also said he wasn't satisfied with Mata too but he has played him in midfield and the 10 since.

 

[Devil may care]

I've seen lots of people put Herrera out on the right attacking midfield role, but I don't think he has the dribbling ability to play there that Silva, Cazorla, Nasri, Hazard, Willian, Tadic, etc., have. Yes, he does spend quite a bit of time out in the right channel, and he has put in a decent number of crosses from the right during his Bilbao days, but he'd only be effective there if we have a good dribbler playing through the middle. If it was Januzaj instead of Rooney in the middle, Herrera would be more useful out wide. Otherwise, we'll need a right full back who's very good at dribbling, and for that, we'd have to hope that Rafael's fit for every match or buy a right back who's a good dribbler like Coleman or Clyne.

It's true that usually 2 of the 3 in behind the striker in that formation have dribbling ability, but I recall Oscar playing well from the right for Chelsea and I think Herrera's sharpness could link well with Rooney and create plenty of openings in that formation.

 

[coolredwine]

So Herrera is being dropped because of Rooney? We cried for a creative CM for ages, and when we finally get one, we drop him for an overpaid, greedy player.

 

[mazhar13]

It's true that usually 2 of the 3 in behind the striker in that formation have dribbling ability, but I recall Oscar playing well from the right for Chelsea and I think Herrera's sharpness could link well with Rooney and create plenty of openings in that formation.

When did Oscar play on the right? IIRC, it was Mata who would play on the right side with Oscar in the middle and Hazard on the left, unless he played right at certain, specific matches.

The reason I believe people play 2 dribblers behind a forward(s) is because both of them can attract opposition players, creating significant gaps for other players to exploit. Herrera isn't as good as Oscar is at dribbling, anyways, and any sort of sharpness, quickness in the mind, etc., is pointless if the opposition close down the dangerous spaces. That's why I believe Herrera won't work out in the channels.

@Pexbo

I feel the same way as well. I think van Gaal's referring to Herrera's more adventurous approach with us, but even then, there are other aspects of his game that indicate that he's also become more conservative than his Bilbao days. I think van Gaal's focusing quite hard on Herrera's willingness to score more goals as well as his lack of strength to hold the ball against physically strong opponents.

 

[Lawman]

So Herrera is being dropped because of Rooney? We cried for a creative CM for ages, and when we finally get one, we drop him for an overpaid, greedy player.

Really! Come on to feck what's that got to do with anything? Is Falcao not the same or Di Maria? The players get the best deal for themselves as it is as short career. DDG for example is he not holding us to ransom just now? You can bet your bottom bollock that he will do what suits him and won't consider the fans feelings for more than a minute. Rooney played it poorly regarding his contract (Stretford or Mendes who's better) but he has given us great service and deserves better than that. Will DDG get abuse from you if he goes to Madrid? Because United showed faith in the lad when he struggled now he's doing well he might jump ship straight away?

 

[coolredwine]

Really! Come on to feck what's that got to do with anything? Is Falcao not the same or Di Maria? The players get the best deal for themselves as it is as short career. DDG for example is he not holding us to ransom just now? You can bet your bottom bollock that he will do what suits him and won't consider the fans feelings for more than a minute. Rooney played it poorly regarding his contract (Stretford or Mendes who's better) but he has given us great service and deserves better than that. Will DDG get abuse from you if he goes to Madrid? Because United showed faith in the lad when he struggled now he's doing well he might jump ship straight away?

Well, at least they aren't taking other players' positions and screwing things up. DDG is one of the best at what he does, Falcao, after a mad injury and aftermath, is slowly building things back up. Di Maria is still finding his feet, been in and out of the team and has shown what he can do. Rooney, on the other hand... Can't play as a striker, can't play as an AM, can't play as a CM but still enjoying the privileges.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

I have now read what LvG said and I am not too worried. I have said recently that Ander is the back up for a number of players and from LvG is saying he seems to be happier with it. The only bit of the statement that bothers me is that Wayne Rooney, the greedy git that held our club to ransom twice, has privileges. Now that bothers me and that he thinks Rooney is this fabulous midfielder. That makes me doubt the managers judgement on some matters. It is nice to know that he is happy with Herrera as a person and a professional with all these stupid rumours coming out about his training. He has obviously had a word with him and if both parties are happy that LvG has a above average squad player and the player will get enough game time next season. The manager seems happy that he is working hard and improving. That is the sort of thing he likes. The more I write the more I am getting pissed about Wayne Rooney. Also the ADM signing actually put a spanner in the works for Ander. We will have to see how that one pans out. If PsG come sniffing round again, will his head get turned.

 

[dirkey]

Well, at least they aren't taking other players' positions and screwing things up. DDG is one of the best at what he does, Falcao, after a mad injury and aftermath, is slowly building things back up. Di Maria is still finding his feet, been in and out of the team and has shown what he can do. Rooney, on the other hand... Can't play as a striker, can't play as an AM, can't play as a CM but still enjoying the privileges.

So Rooney is taking someone else's place and screwing things up? Sheesh, utter rubbish.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

So Rooney is taking someone else's place and screwing things up? Sheesh, utter rubbish.

Rooney in midfield is not great tbh, it is more that it appears that even if he was absolutely terrible he will get picked no matter what because he is the captain. The ADM signing has not helped Herrera. We had already signed Ander and then the board were offered ADM, they were because nobody else could afford him. LvG would not turn that down, but even then he has messed him about as well. If you sign a £60m player you have to play him.

 

[soap]

Well, at least they aren't taking other players' positions and screwing things up. DDG is one of the best at what he does, Falcao, after a mad injury and aftermath, is slowly building things back up. Di Maria is still finding his feet, been in and out of the team and has shown what he can do. Rooney, on the other hand... Can't play as a striker, can't play as an AM, can't play as a CM but still enjoying the privileges.

Rooney is our best striker actually,its not his fault LvG refuses to play him there.

 

[saivet]

@mazhar13 Oscar played out on the right, the season before Jose came in iirc. Only when Jose went to Chelsea, Oscar became the first choice no.10. I don't really remember how Oscar played, I think it was only for a season thoug, and he wasn't as effective as he can be.

 

[Sultan]

Rooney is nearing United's all-time goal scoring record at United and according to some can't play or is not good enough as a good striker? Surely there's other reasons why LvG is playing him in the middle.

 

[legball]

@legball

Excuse people for debating. Hardly fanboyism. People are not jumping of high buildings due to Herrera not playing.

The debate is frankly welcome and that's the point of a forum. But people are really going over the top with their comments as regards Herrera's situation now.

 

[legball]

How do you know Rooney does not cut it as a striker? I can't recall LvG ever saying or hinting such nonsense.

I was clearly referring to what LVG said.

 

[legball]

So Herrera is being dropped because of Rooney? We cried for a creative CM for ages, and when we finally get one, we drop him for an overpaid, greedy player.

Christ.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Christ.

I don't know why you are surprised at the comment. Yes Rooney has been a good striker for us, but I still don't like him for the turmoil he put the club through and the fact he keeps getting rewarded for it.

Has Rooney been played instead of Herrera? I would say yes, but not in LvG's eyes. He sees him as the backup for Di Maria, he quite often comes on for him and Mata. It is the what is Herrera's and Rooney best positon that is causing debate. As I have said before the lack of europe this season has made it impossible to rotate the squad as he would like. Now it is up to LvG and the players to make sure the games are there next season. If we don't get CL then ADM might want to move anyway. If we do, there will be plenty of games.

 

[Señor]

The fact that he rates our best striker Rooney in midfield is more worrying than not playing Herrera.

 

[Sultan]

The debate is frankly welcome and that's the point of a forum. But people are really going over the top with their comments as regards Herrera's situation now.

Who made you judge and jury to determine their opinion is over the top?

 

[coolredwine]

Rooney is nearing United's all-time goal scoring record at United and according to some can't play or is not good enough as a good striker? Surely there's other reasons why LvG is playing him in the middle.

Physicality and captaincy. I just don't see anything else. He has been bang average since over a month now.

As for him playing as a striker, he might have the goal record, but that's purely because of the time he has spent here. Given all things equal, would you say he is a better striker than Falcao/van Persie?

 

[#07]

 

[Sultan]

Physicality and captaincy. I just don't see anything else. He has been bang average since over a month now.

As for him playing as a striker, he might have the goal record, but that's purely because of the time he has spent here. Given all things equal, would you say he is a better striker than Falcao/van Persie?

Majority of posters debating on here do so by watching football matches on streams or TV. You really need to be watching football at the ground to appreciate the efforts of Rooney in both defensive and striking third. I personally believe his work ethics is probably one of the main reasons he is chosen ahead of Herrera.

Rooney has not played many games as a striker this season to be compared to either RvP or Falcao. Historically, I believe them both to be better strikers. Rooney's best role being as a second striker. This season both have underperformed considering their status as strikers in the game for various reasons. You can also point to the fact the team has been creating very few chances and it's been a difficult time for strikers this season.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Under Fergie i think Herrera would have shrived. He seems very Scholes like to me, apart from maybe being a better tackler but a worse passer.

I would actually play him as the 10 in our team, and make Mata either a striker or bench him.

 

[Sultan]

LvG is talking rubbish when he says Rooney has to be in the team due to being captain. You're only entitled to be in the team if you perform.

 

[Señor]

Ross Wallace in sixth though?

 

[limerickcitykid]

Ross Wallace in sixth though?

Obviously we need to get Ross Wallace signed up. Going to be a mad dash to get his signature come the summer.

 

[Haddock]

Ah yes Squawka, that bastion of Football knowledge and excellence. It's pretty clear Van Gaal wants Herrera to play a certain role in midfield. My understanding of this is - Ander being a natural midfielder will try to integrate during practice sessions before finally becoming an integral player while Rooney needs game time to be properly pigmounted into his new role.

 

[iBoss]

Loses credibility having Toure at #2, Jovetic on the list, Sanchez below Herrera. Wallace?

 

[legball]

Who made you judge and jury to determine their opinion is over the top?

Oh the irony, and who gave you the authority to question my opinion?

 

[legball]

Under Fergie i think Herrera would have shrived. He seems very Scholes like to me, apart from maybe being a better tackler but a worse passer.

I would actually play him as the 10 in our team, and make Mata either a striker or bench him.

Ferguson didn't sign a single central midfielder for God knows how long.

 

[Damien]

Have volume turned up

 

[m1y2]

Then why the hell don't we play Rooney as CAM if he needs to be on the pitch at all? Van Gaal stated earlier in the season it's his best position and he played well there, then suddenly after we lose Fellaini and need some muscles in midfield. Rooney is getting worse every season so why don't we at least use him right. He is another player living form his reputation. Herrera can't do cross field passing but defensively really is underrated, you don't need to be that strong to play there especially when you've got someone like Blind covering for you. He would have added so much more drive, creativity and legs to the team. He makes people around him look better. Rooney is no more that kind of player..

Don't understand this, where the hell is Dutchman's balls? That's what I hate on him, experimenting with players on various positions and playing the ones he likes even they are just inferior than others. Rooney could play as Striker with someone pacy like Wilson but that would mean benching woeful Van Persie. Would you bench your "best friend"? I doubt it. He is well past it more than Rooney.

Watching someone as old as Harry Kane makes you think how things in football change quickly he is so much better than any of our strikers in almost every department of football skills. And apart that he scores so many goals and crucial ones he is intelligent and creates chances for his teammates and works hard, can actually run every game and give his 150% It really really makes you think how well past it someone like RVP is.. And it doesn't necessarily need to be Kane in this instance... there are so many better players up there playing up front..

 

[Speak]

Phew. We almost ran out of things to hate Rooney for...