Louis van Gaal: 'Roy Hodgson right to play Wayne Rooney up front'

By Simon Sinclair, Reporter | 15 February 2015

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal agrees with England manager Roy Hodgson that Wayne Rooney should be played as a striker for the the Three Lions.

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has admitted that he would play Wayne Rooney as a striker if he were the England manager.

The Dutchman has largely used the Three Lions captain in a midfield role of late, and even used the 29-year-old in a deep-lying position in United's 3-1 win over Burnley in midweek.

Van Gaal has agreed with comments made by Roy Hodgson that Rooney's best position for the national side would be up front, but feels that he is forced to operate differently at United due to the personnel at his disposal.

He told reporters: "In the composition for Mr Hodgson, Rooney is probably giving more contribution to the English team in the striker's position, then I would put him there too if I was the English manager.

"He has to compare Rooney with other strikers in his line-up and that is another consideration I have to make. I have to choose between Radamel Falcao, Robin van Persie and all the other strikers I have, then it is my consideration that is a different way."

Rooney has scored eight goals in the Premier League for the Red Devils this season.