Former Manchester United manager, Louis van Gaal has admitted Wayne Rooney was past his best when the pair worked together at Old Trafford and explained why he appointed him captain.
The Dutchman left United in 2016 after winning the FA Cup with Rooney playing an instrumental role throughout his tenure, picking up the man of the match award in the 2-1 final victory over Crystal Palace Van Gaal’s final game before being replaced by Jose Mourinho.
In a wide-ranging interview, the former Red Devils boss delivered a brutally honest verdict on Rooney, who left United a year later after being phased out by van Gaal’s successor Mourinho.
Asked about Rooney specifically, van Gaal replied: “I’m sorry but he was over the hill. But in spite of that, he was one of my best players.”
The 67-year-old, who has recently announced his retirement from management, was then asked about his decision to make Rooney captain.
Van Gaal issued a defence of Rooney’s professionalism in reference to the infamous ‘boxing’ video when the ex-United striker was caught on film fighting with a friend and former United player Phil Bardsley.
“You can say nothing about his professionalism as a player in the training sessions or on a pitch,” added van, Gaal. “Outside the environment of the training pitch and the stadium is different. I made him my captain because I wanted to control that life outside.
“I think we didn’t succeed totally by giving Rooney responsibility”. Rooney had a hard time after moving from the club that grew him professionally, United after falling out with the former manager, Jose Mourinho.
"Firmino isnt just a striker its not fair to call him that he does so much more than a number 9"
this man was doing that long before Firmino yet he gets disrespected all the time, put some respect on the name Wayne Rooneypic.twitter.com/VV4VWZ1YYD
— Sean (@SeanCarragher7) May 26, 2019
He did not have a long stay at Everton after failing to succeed only for him to move to America for the MLS side.
His move there was not an easy one, being a whole new country, environment and lifestyle, his wife had at a given time had to leave her after he was alleged to have engaged in extramarital engagements and heavy drinking.
Van Gaal has recently taken on the United Vice-Chairman, Ed Woodward terming him as somebody with zero understanding of football who was previously an investment banker saying it cannot be a good thing when a club is run solely from a commercially-driven perspective.