Manchester United will look to extend their flawless start to the Premier League season when they take on Newcastle at Old Trafford on Saturday.
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The United back-line, which has been surprisingly resolute – they are yet to concede a goal this season – shall not see any changes.
He is yet to score in three games, leading to questions about his suitability for the role, but while he accepts that criticism of his performances is just, he is targeting Saturday’s game at home to Newcastle United as an opportunity to make amends.
The failure to land Porto has come amid doubts over whether Manchester United have the required quality and depth in attack to realize their lofty ambitions this season.
Next month’s global double-header with San Marino and Switzerland will see Rooney attempt to claim the two goals he needs to overhaul Sir Bobby Charlton’s all-time goalscoring record for England, and once he passes the landmark, McClaren hopes the Liverpudlian will be rightly lauded as one of the greatest players this country has ever produced.
“I feel important in the team, I’m playing every game and have a lot of confidence.”
However, with four games now played in all competitions, Rooney is yet to get off the mark and has struggled to impose himself on any of Man United’s matches thus far.
After a week in which they failed to land former target Pedro, United lacked a cutting edge up front.
Van Gaal, who handed a first start to Bastian Schweinsteiger, insisted earlier in the week that he was happy with his attacking options, but the Dutchman may wish to reassess that view with just 10 days of the transfer window remaining.
After a ragged start to the season, the jury is out on Wayne Rooney’s capabilities to spearhead Manchester United’s attack. That is always the way of things.
Bottom club Sunderland stopped the rot after two straight defeats by drawing 1-1 at home to Swansea City, with Jermain Defoe equalising for the hosts after Bafetimbi Gomis had scored his third goal of the campaign.
A win should very well be the result for Van Gaal this weekend, but the Magpies will certainly test the dodgy Argentinian between the sticks, thus bringing to an end Romero’s over-exemplified run of clean sheets.
Memphis Depay was the catalyst for their midweek win over Club Brugge, but he could not get going here – his below-par display summed up by a wild shot blazed well over the bar on the hour.
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Wayne Rooney has scored 12 goals and assisted seven more in 20 Premier League appearances against Newcastle.
