One of the major talking points in the early stages of Manchester United's Premier League campaign has been the form of their captain and striker, Wayne Rooney.
Three games into the reason and Rooney is still searching for his first goal, and despite Louis Van Gaal reiterating throughout the summer that his captain would be his first choice striker this season, many fans have questioned his ability to play as a lone striker.
His performance against Aston Villa was very poor, and Rooney himself admits that, but although he was largely ineffective against Tottenham Hotspur the England striker believes the criticism he has received has been uncalled for:
I've had one bad game this season and everyone's all over it. I've had that throughout my career but hopefully at the weekend I can get off the mark.
It's early on in the season, we're just three games in. I've experienced this criticism before and the goals will come, I know that.
Rooney was also adament that he is comfortable playing as the lone striker in Van Gaal's preferred 4-3-3 formation, even though he struggled to show it against Tim Sherwood's side:
I'm an honest guy. I know when I don't play well and against Aston Villa I was below my standards. My mind is clear. I know how to play the role. It's just a case of getting the chances and taking them, which I'm hopefully going to do soon.
Rooney clearly believes that there are no problems with Manchester United's striking prowess, but the club's fans who were left puzzled at the club's handling of a deal for Barcelona winger Pedro are less convinced.
It remains to be seen whether United can lure a big name attacker to the club before the transfer window closes, but nevertheless Wayne Rooney believes he's still the man for the striker's job at Old Trafford.
via BBC Sport.
