The legend grows.
Manchester United had just been knocked out of the FA Cup by Arsenal and, following a league defeat away to Swansea, their push for a top four place looked doomed to failure.
United then went out and dismantled Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 at Old Trafford. It was the slickest, sharpest and most convincing United had looked in 18 months.
United midfielder Ander Herrera then revealed Wayne Rooney, his captain, had delivered a rousing speech to the squad on the eve of the match, and just before kick-off.
Asked about Rooney’s oratory contributions, after the Spurs game, Van Gaal commented, ‘The players know this game was of massive importance so I think a captain has to do something to help the players or help the manager or help the club. I was very pleased.’
Rooney repeated the trick before the 2-1 win over Liverpool, at Anfield. He says:
‘I’ve always been quite vocal in the dressing room before games and I felt at the time it was right for me, after we’d lost to Arsenal in the cup, to put a few points across to the players which I thought might help the team. I’m not saying that’s why we won the games against Tottenham and Liverpool! [Laughs] But it certainly didn’t cause any harm doing it. It just felt like the right time for me to say something.
‘I’m always talking in the dressing room and giving my opinions to try to help the players get ready for the game, but on those occasions it was just something a bit different and something I felt was right to do.’
Now, it appears, Rooney is making a habit out of the pre-match speech ritual. The striker now gathers his teammates together after their final training session, at Carrington, and speaks to them about the importance of the upcoming game.
Hardly earth-shattering news but interesting to see that Rooney is finally growing into his role. As a result, the team has found a new leader and is responding on the pitch. United are now on a six-game winning spin, third in the league and, if Daley Blind is to be believed, still chasing the title.
If it ain’t broke…
