Van Gaal: Rooney Omission Tactical

Louis van Gaal has revealed he dropped Wayne Rooney for Manchester United's Boxing Day clash at Stoke for tactical reasons.

In the hunt for a first Premier League win in six matches, Van Gaal opted for Ander Herrera in midfield with Marouane Fellaini playing a support role behind striker Anthony Martial, leaving England captain Rooney on the bench.

The 30-year-old emerged as a second-half substitute - replacing Memphis Depay - after United went two goals down in the first half at the Britannia Stadium, but he failed to spark a United comeback as the Potters stood firm to win 2-0.

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of kick-off, Van Gaal said: "Yes, of course leaving out Wayne [Rooney] was tactical.

"That is always what you want, with your game plan. I think that with this game plan it was better to play with Ander Herrera instead of Wayne Rooney."

Rooney, 30, has struggled to find form in recent weeks, as United were knocked out of the Champions League and slipped out of the Premier League's top-four places.

Van Gaal, who received backing from Rooney ahead of the game, later added: "It is not a drastic measure, it is my game plan.

"We have done everything we can do, I have seen a fantastic attitude of my players so I fully believe in this game.

"The conditions are the main factor but we have to cope with it. You can say that you don't like wind but you have to cope with it."

Credit: Skysports.com