Manchester United

Charlie Nicholas: 'Manchester United system is hampering Wayne Rooney'

By Steven Toplis, Reporter | 26 August 2015

Wayne Rooney is struggling to perform in Louis van Gaal's current system at Manchester United, according to ex-Arsenal midfielder Charlie Nicholas.

Charlie Nicholas has suggested that Wayne Rooney's slow start to the new season is down to the system that Manchester United are using.

The England international, who has been moved to a central striker position, has failed to score in his last 10 appearances for the Red Devils.

Former Arsenal midfielder Nicholas has said that United boss Louis van Gaal should take some responsibility for Rooney's struggles in front of goal.

"It's the system that's the problem, it's a Van Gaal system," Nicholas told Sky Sports News. "He likes to stretch the game. That's the way he plays to bring space into account but this means the centre-forward can be quite an isolated figure.

"Rooney is not a target man. He can play centre-forward but he can't play as a target man and at the moment his service is poor.

"Until they identify the midfield - whether it's going to be [Juan] Mata, Memphis [Depay], [Ander] Herrera, or whoever it is going be, the two holding players in midfield will not suit Wayne. It's the system, it's not Wayne's fault."

United face Club Brugge in the second leg of their Champions League qualifier this evening.