Jose Mourinho’s first Premier League teamsheet as Manchester United manager will be fascinating.
Will Juan Mata start? Will Paul Pogba’s name be there? Where will Wayne Rooney play?
We seem to have the answer to at least one of those questions already as the United captain has told the press that he and his new gaffer have arrived at a decision on where he will be playing for the next season.
Rooney, whose prolific goalscoring abilities as a youngster made him one of the most exciting strikers in Europe, has been tested in a deeper role in recent seasons.
At 30 years old, Rooney understandably doesn’t have the pace in his legs that he once did and Louis van Gaal often utilised him in midfield to avail of Rooney’s wide range of passing.
But on the Red Devils’ preseason tour of China, Rooney revealed that he will fulfil the No.10 position throughout the season.
“As he (Mourinho) said to the press, he said to me about playing No.10,” Rooney said.
“That is something I’ve now got to work on and get myself in the right position to score goals.
“I have scored goals all through my career and I have no doubt in my goalscoring ability. Hopefully I can do that this season.”
That means that United’s front four will likely have Rooney playing off of front man Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with Anthony Martial on the left and Henrikh Mkhitaryan on the right.
Rooney also claimed that he expects more freedom under Mourinho, something he’s looking forward to as he approaches the opening weekend of the season.
“I’m a footballer so I like to be involved in the game, and I am now playing for Jose who, straight away, has no fears about players coming deep if they want to,” he continued.
“It’s almost like a free role and I am excited to play it.
“As the striker in the last couple of seasons, it has been difficult with not creating many chances.
“It’s a different way of playing, a different manager, different ideas and if I can bring my game and qualities to this team, then I know I can create chances and score goals, there is no doubt about that.”
