Jose Mourinho was unveiled earlier this week to the press as the new Manchester United manager and it had the United fans in the Transfer Tavern crowded around the TV’s in the bar.
Their new Portuguese boss typically had plenty to say, taking swipes at Louis Van Gaal, Ryan Giggs and the seemingly compulsory dig at Arsene Wenger whilst also offering his thoughts on the future role of his captain, Wayne Rooney.
Towards the end of last season Rooney began to be deployed deeper and deeper in United’s midfield. He was becoming the one to pull the strings and make the chances that in previous years he would have been the one on the end of.
Many felt this was where he’d be playing under Mourinho too but the former Chelsea man, as has so often been the case, had a different view.
Mourinho will be reverting his captain to his original position up front, and whilst this goes against the grain, it could actually prove to make perfect sense.
Our landlord thinks so too and here are THREE reasons why…
Gives United an extra striker
There’s little doubt the club are still short of strikers. Without the miraculous breakthrough of Marcus Rashford, their season could have ended in tatters last time and out and despite the obvious introduction of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, they still need options for this season coming.
It makes sense then that Rooney takes on his old role once more – one he’s been pretty good at – to help bolster United’s attacking choices.
Perhaps if United bring in more forwards he’ll go back to midfield but, as it stands, Rooney’s a striker again.
More room for a genuine midfielder
The 30-year old returning to the top of the pitch means a midfielder slot is available and this should excite United fans.
Mourinho has already brought in Henrikh Mkhitaryan and the Red Devils are being linked with both Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi.
A squad that can boast those kind of midfield players doesn’t need to rely on a makeshift one in Rooney and Mourinho knows this. Play your best players in their best players is the old adage and that’s what the new manager is trying to do.
Attacking Intent
Rooney almost fell into the midfield role last season as United struggled with injuries and Louis Van Gaal botched together a side with what players he had.
The United skipper performed well as all top players would even out of position and his new role seemed to stick.
Roy Hodgson then threw his record goalscorer into his midfield, though evidently didn’t really know how to utilise him and this is where Mourinho comes in.
He obviously knows exactly how he wants his team to play already – with Rooney up top – and this confidence in his game plan is a breath of fresh air compared to Rooney’s last few managers.
