Louis van Gaal, the Manchester United manager, has revealed the astonishing power that club captain Wayne Rooney has behind the scenes at Old Trafford.
Rooney’s career in Manchester hasn’t been without controversy, with his transfer request and subsequent handing of a new contract worth a reported £300,000 per-week a symbol of his influence with the Premier League giants.
And it seems that even the fiery van Gaal is told what to do by the striker.
The former Netherlands manager has admitted that Rooney has his say on team selection, coaching, members of staff, even the food that’s on offer in the kitchen.
“Things like the the selection and the kitchen and the members of staff, everything you can mention, he is involved,” LVG said as quoted by The Sun.
“That is why I am very pleased. He is the most social guy and also very responsible.
“I think he trusts me so that is also very important and I trust him. So when he comes to me and has remarks I pay always attention to it,” the Dutchman added.
“He has also the confidence to say things that is not always normal to say for players, so that is good for the atmosphere in the dressing room.”
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Rooney has come under fire since the start of the new season, with the England international having failed to hit the back of the net in his last nine Premier League appearances.
He scored a hat trick in the Champions League qualifying victory over Club Brugge, and will be desperate not to take his poor run of form to 10 games against Swansea City on Sunday afternoon.