Manchester United news: Rooney’s new position revealed
Wayne Rooney has revealed where he’ll play for Manchester United next season
Manchester United fans are starting to get a real sense of how their club will line up under Jose Mourinho next season. Captain Wayne Rooney has let fans know that he’ll spend his time in the number ten role for the 2016-17 campaign.
The issue of where Rooney would be on the pitch has been a hotly debated topic during the Manchester United preseason. For years, he’d led the line for the Red Devils until Louis van Gaal moved him back into a deeper midfield role last year. Fans were split on whether or not that move better suited Rooney at this point in his career.
In true Jose Mourinho fashion, he’s chosen to compromise between those two alternatives. He won’t deploy Rooney in front of stars like Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Anthony Martial in United’s attack, nor will he insert Rooney into a deep midfield role best manned by more physical players. Instead, Rooney has revealed that he will spend most of his time operating as an attacking midfielder under Mourinho next year.
It’s really the ultimate in pragmatic decision-making by Mourinho. He’s smart enough to realize that Rooney doesn’t have the pace required to lead the line at this point in his career. That task is better left to some of the club’s other big names.
More from Manchester United
- Four forwards Manchester United might like to replace Cristiano Ronaldo
- Cristiano Ronaldo hits out at Manchester United
- Aston Villa vs. Man United: How Erik ten Hag can replace Bruno Fernandes
- Real Sociedad 0-1 Manchester United: Three talking points
- A few pointers to the Cristiano Ronaldo issue at Manchester United
That doesn’t mean that Rooney can’t be a useful part of the club’s attack. He still has exceptional touch on the ball and can terrorize opposing keepers with shots from distance. Additionally, his ability to pick out incisive passes to attacking teammates is a quality that can be extremely useful for United next season.
That’s why deploying Rooney as a number ten makes so much sense. He won’t be expected to blow away opposing defenders with his pace or out muscle them with a great deal of physicality. Instead, he can pick his spots while playing just behind the striker. That positioning will take advantage of his full range of finesse with the ball at his feet.
Playing Rooney as an attacking midfielder also allows him to be a more important part of United’s defensive efforts. He lacks the athleticism at this point in his career to consistently track back from the striker position to aid his back four. Allowing him to play slightly deeper should save his legs and afford him the opportunity to contribute more to Mourinho’s defense.
Related Story: 5 players who will improve most under Jose Mourinho
Wayne Rooney may not be the star he once was, but he’s still the face of Manchester United. That’s why he’s found a new home as the Red Devils’ number ten next season.