England’s Wayne Rooney in action with France’s Laurent Koscielny during worldwide Friendly game at Wembley Stadium in London on November 17, 2015.
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Louis van Gaal is facing a “big problem” from a selection crisis for Manchester United’s Premier League trip to Watford today.
Van Gaal hasn’t started him in the Premier League since the 3-0 disaster at Arsenal when Memphis was taken off at half time.
The “world’s most expensive teenager” moved from Monaco in the summer for a £36 million fee that could rise to as much as £58m, but the Frenchman said his initial impression of playing in England was less than thrilling.
“Of course [I expected more from him], because otherwise he would still be in the team”, Van Gaal said.
“But I have said that players of that age are not consistent and when at that time you change the player then the other player has a chance”.
An alternate option for United is to play Depay on the wing and start Jesse Lingard up front.
“I’ve always wanted to be a footballer, I never thought about doing anything else and it’s what I’ve always wanted to do since I was little, so I’m very happy”, he added. Yesterday he was at home so I don’t think he can play either. “I don’t have a quarrel with the player – it’s a matter of form”.
Rooney played and scored against France, but Van Gaal said, “Wayne Rooney was ill after the global break”.
It remains to be seen whether Van Gaal will dip into the transfer market in the winter transfer window.
Van Gaal: “I think that everybody knows Michael Carrick and Anthony Martial are injured, but also injured is Fellaini”.
“My three favourite players were Ronaldo, the Brazilian, Ronaldinho and (Zinedine) Zidane because they’re players who were lovely to watch play and they’re ones who made me want to play football”.
Marouane Fellaini remains out, as does Antonio Valencia, who had surgery on his injured foot earlier this month and is a long-term absentee. “I always look in the players’ eyes after training and make my decision”.
“For me it’s a big blow, because he’s an important player in our squad because I don’t have anyone else with his characteristics and his profile”. “We have a busy schedule approaching which is good for everyone”, he continued.
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He said: “It’s a question if the players want to play”.
