Man United’s Louis van Gaal: Wayne Rooney happy in midfield role

Louis van Gaal has insisted that Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney is happy to adopt a midfield role.

The Dutchman has been criticised in recent weeks for wasting the 29-year-old in a deep role, as Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie struggle to find prolific form.

The England captain has scored a respectable eight goals in 23 appearances in all competitions this season despite his new midfield role in the United side.

However, Red Devils boss Van Gaal beleives Rooney would air his grievances if the United skipper was unhappy with his unorthodox role in the first-team.

“He’s happy,” Van Gaal is quoted as saying by Daily Mail. “Otherwise he should come to me and say he’s not. He never does. He’s always friendly to me. He wants to perform what I want so that’s what I see.

“When the whole world is writing he has to be in the striker’s position, he will be thinking “maybe”. He’s human.

“But I’m looking for balance and I need it in midfield. The last games I played with Adnan Januzaj and Angel Di Maria in midfield. Then you need a certain balance for those kind of creative players.”

Van Gaal’s side face Preston North End at Deepdale on Monday night as the 20-time English champions look to book their place in Monday night’s quarter-final draw.

United have already beaten League One side Yeovil Town and League Two outfit Cambridge Town ahead of their clash against Simon Grayson’s Preston side.