Wayne Rooney is still England’s best striker ahead of Harry Kane, Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal insisted yesterday.
The debate over who should lead England’s attack at Euro 2016 has intensified while Rooney has been sidelined for two months with a knee injury.
But after confirming the United captain will make his comeback in an Under 21 game against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on Monday night, Van Gaal backed England’s record goalscorer to keep his place in Roy Hodgson’s team.
‘When you see his record, he is the best striker,’ said the Dutchman, who risked riling Kane in the build-up to tomorrow’s clash at White Hart Lane by pointing out the Spurs forward has a poor record in his four matches against United. ‘Kane is a very good striker but he hasn’t scored yet against us,’ said Van Gaal. ‘When I say that I am challenging him also, so it’s not so smart of me.
‘It always depends on their form. Normally, Rooney (right) is the best striker but how many has Kane scored in total? That counts for a striker, and also for Wayne.’
Kane has fired 25 goals for Spurs this season,
compared to Rooney’s 14 for United.
But Van Gaal feels Rooney’s return will be a boost as United attempt to seal a top-four finish and lift the FA Cup. He said the 30-year-old may even feature in Wednesday’s quarter-final replay at West Ham despite just two training sessions since his return. ‘He can be so good that I’ll be forced to give him a position in the team,’ said Van Gaal.
‘In training yesterday he scored a fantastic chip over the goalkeeper. It was his first training session and I told him, “I have never seen that this season”.
‘But I have to see the Under 21 game. Let’s see if he plays 60 minutes, then he can play at West Ham United. You never know.’
Van Gaal has lost only one of nine games against top-seven sides this season, with five wins and three draws. – Daily Mail