The Champions League fixture against Club Brugge was also no different, as the United captain continued to endure a tough spell on the pitch.
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Let’s kick off with the likely – those that are being heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford.
Sadly, those deft moments have been all too fleeting in Rooney’s patchy career. But in the end, there can only be one victor: van Gaal.
The United manager remains without centre-back Phil Jones (mild thrombosis) and defender Marcos Rojo is unlikely to feature as he lacks match sharpness.
And Milner, a close-season signing from Manchester City, believes Liverpool will get the kind of stern examination in north London that should indicate how much they need to improve to challenge for the title.
But three days later, the World Cup victor signed for Chelsea.
And there is still uncertainty in the goalkeeping department. “You have to wait and see”, the boss told reporters on Friday.
“But he’s getting better and has done some running”. United are still not properly calibrated.
Does Van Gaal like that kind of public admission from one of his players?
‘It is common knowledge that United were in the bidding for Pedro, but Chelsea were faster and within 24 hours reached an agreement with the club.
But the Spanaird’s pace would discomfort defences more than Mata is now doing.
“It starts always with the player himself”, said van Gaal.
Shaw fired a cross into Rooney who produced an audacious flick for Depay who squandered the opportunity to capture a Champions League hat-trick.
He added: “It’s early on in the season”. Due to those expectations there is still an argument to suggest that Rooney has never fulfilled his vast potential.
Schweinsteiger’s place in the Bayern Munich squad was filled by Arturo Vidal, a player the Old Trafford outfit courted for a long time.
At times, it is truly staggering to watch a player of his stature struggle with his first touch and making simple passes.
In his opening two Premier League games against Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa, Rooney was sloppy in possession and simply useless when holding up the ball.
Physically, Rooney doesn’t look up to the required standard either.
“He takes a risk, I think, but he is very confident that he will make the goals that we expect that from him, and I am confident also”.
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De Gea was such an integral part of covering for a weak defense last season, but with his possible departure, they might be in a great deal of trouble defending. “I think it’s a very good solution because we can spare them both for the big moments”.
