Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says Marcos Rojo has the potential to be a “very good player” for the club.
Van Gaal and Rojo have not always enjoyed the best of relationships at Old Trafford, with the Argentina defender missing the Red Devils’ pre-season tour of the United States after failing to renew his passport before
angering his manager again for not warning the United medical staff about an injury.
It had sparked suggestions that United could sell Rojo in January, with
Bruno Martins Indi linked as a replacement,
However, at his pre-match press conference ahead of United’s Champions League tie against CSKA Moscow, Van Gaal bristled at suggestions Rojo, who used to play for Spartak Moscow, is not realising his potential at the club.
“I didn’t know that he played for Spartak but I have seen him in the World Cup in Brazil and he did it very well and he played also for Sporting Lisbon. There I have analysed him,”Van Gaal said of the Argentinian, who signed for United from Sporting Lisbon for £16million last summer.
“What I like is that he is physically a very strong guy, a good header and his pass is fast.
“That we need, always. There is the potential in him to be a very good player for Manchester United.”
Wayne Rooney, meanwhile, said he’s expecting Rojo to play a key role this season, especially after Luke Shaw’s injury.
He added: “He is a fantastic player and a fantastic team-mate. He is a player who is very tough to get around. For him to be from Argentina and play in the Premier League is not easy but he has done a great job.
“He will be a very important player for us for the rest of the season.”