Wayne Rooney will score more than 20 goals for Manchester United this season, says Louis van Gaal

Main threat: Rooney will be the focal point of United's attack
Tom Purslow/Man Utd via Getty Images
Sam Long14 August 2015

Louis van Gaal has tipped Wayne Rooney to score more than 20 goals for Manchester United this season.

The 29-year-old was deployed in a variety of roles for the Red Devils last term but is in line to be installed as his side's attacking spearhead during the current campaign.

Van Gaal bemoaned the fact that he did not have the luxury of a prolific striker last season but the Dutchman is confident that Rooney is capable of carrying the goalscoring burden now that he will be given an opportunity to play in his preferred position on a regular basis.

“Our aim is to play with Rooney in the striker’s position. We have chosen for him, and Chicharito to be the substitute, but he can also play because Rooney can also play No.10.

Getty

“So he has a chance to play in the striker’s position, but normally Rooney shall play because we have confidence that he can score more than 20 goals there. That is more than last year, of the strikers," he said.

The United captain has scored more than 20 goals in a single Premier League campaign on just two occasions; the last time Rooney achieved the feat was during the 2011-12 season.

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Rooney found the net on 12 occasions in the Premier League last season, more than any United player, but often struggled to provide a goal threat while he was used as cover in both central and attacking midfield.

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