Louis van Gaal has warned Wayne Rooney that he will not
walk back into the Manchester United starting XI upon his
return from suspension, despite being named the club’s
captain at the start of the season.
Rooney is banned for the club’s next two matches, against
West Brom on Monday and Chelsea next weekend, having
been sent off in the 2-1 win over West Ham on September 27.
He is will be eligible again in time for the meeting with rivals
Manchester City on November 2, but Van Gaal insists he will
not start the game unless he impresses in training.
"Nobody is walking back in my team, believe me. You have to
earn it on the training ground," he told reporters.
"But every player here already knows that. I have always said
that just because players have the best name, it doesn’t mean
that they are the best for the team.
"I am always looking for a constant level of performance –
from the team and from individual players."
United have been hit by a number of injuries this season, with
Michael Carrick and Phil Jones notable absentees, but Van
Gaal has been impressed with the players who have been
drafted in to provide cover.
The Dutchman has handed first-team berths to Patrick McNair
and Tyler Blackett, among others, and has praised the young
stars.
"Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Phil Jones are great
football players but, believe me, sometimes the other players
are doing better," he added.
"It is not only the name. I have seen, for example, a player
like McNair. He was outstanding in the first match and you
have seen the reaction of the fans to that.
"Of course Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling have
not been available. But I am always thinking that youngsters
can take the job over. It’s not any problem.
"We have also good youth players – and we have showed
that already with not just McNair but with Blackett and also
with Jesse Lingard. Their progress is more quicker than you
think.