Rooney 'Wasted' In Midfield

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney is wasted in midfield and the decision to play him there could soon affect his attitude, according to Sky Sports pundit Tony Gale.

England manager Roy Hodgson says he will play the 29-year-old as a striker for the games against Lithuania and Italy next month despite his club boss Louis van Gaal deploying him as central midfielder in recent weeks.

The Dutchman has preferred to play Radamel Falcao along with Robin van Persie in attack but both players have been struggling for form which has led to criticism from fans and ex-players.

Gale believes Rooney’s style of play is best suited as an attacker and the player will soon become frustrated if he is not picked as a striker soon.

“I think he will be getting cheesed off playing in midfield because for me it’s a waste,” Gale told The Morning View on Sky Sports News HQ.

“Harry Kane energises Spurs and Rooney does the same for Manchester United. He is better than Falcao, he is better than Van Persie.

“He should be up front but they haven’t got many midfield options at the moment so he’s doing a job. Rooney is not a Paul Scholes he is a player with cutting edge and should be up front.

“I’ve seen Falcao two or three times this season and it’s without doubt his knee injury has lost him a bit of an edge. As for van Persie, he is a yard off the pace and if you had Rooney up front no doubt he would be scoring goals. If you have that cutting edge, you have to be up front.”

Former England and Crystal Palace winger John Salako agrees with Gale but insists whatever position he is used in, Rooney must be given time to settle in and make the role his own.

“The problem with Wayne Rooney, he is an outstanding player but he can play in a number of positions,” he said.

“Sir Alex Ferguson used to play him on the left, you can play him in the hole, you can play him in the right and that hurts him sometimes.

“He is one of our best players, if not the best player. He is a massive talent. He’s got everything and really we should be building a team around him. His best position and the position he can do the most damage is up front.

“What I would like to see is wherever he plays let him stay there because you build confidence and momentum and you learn that role and you adapt to that.”

Credit: Skysports.com