Injured Rooney forced to wait to play 500th Man United game

The report says that United meant to let current boss Louis van Gaal see out his contract until 2017, but that managerial movements this summer may change their mind. They are both fine footballers, but they play similar games and United would be better going forward with Herrera in the side.

“That chemistry is the most important thing and when I have the feeling that the chemistry is there, I will always work to my utmost best”.

“I don’t think there is a coach that quits by himself because of the money, but I am like that”, he added.

“The most important thing is the chemistry between players and staff”, van Gaal told reporters on Friday. “It should be good, otherwise I would be gone”.

Manchester United host West Ham on Saturday at Old Trafford looking to get back to winning ways, after a drawing 1-1 away at Leicester City last weekend.

The England skipper picked up the problem during last weekend’s draw at Leicester, and has also been ruled out of next week’s Champions League game against Wolfsburg.

“The week after next we have two weeks that we can have more recovery”, LVG said.

Louis van Gaal’s side have lost just one of their last 15 games and could return to the top of the table if they beat the Hammers at Old Trafford and other results go their way.

Rooney’s absence from the matchday squad will also open up a place on the bench.

“So we are looking [at players for January] but as you know it is not so easy to buy players and in January it is more hard”.

“Especially at home, when the opponents are defending with numbers and are compact, you can’t play very vertically”. Against United last season West Ham completed just 44% of their long passes with Andy Carroll being the target man. It is very important. “Phil Jones is still injured so we have six injuries”, LVG concluded.

“Maybe they want more long balls, more activity in the 18-yard box, yes that is possible. He shall not play his 500th game because he is more injured than I thought so we have to wait for that game”, Van Gaal explained. “You can say that United are different from before – We can call it controlled football, we can call it patient football but so far it is very effective because they are in a good position in the league”.

“But on the other hand, it’s a great challenge to take for the team and a great opportunity to show that we are ready for a fight and we can deal with it”.