Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi believes that Manchester United talisman Wayne Rooney should play in a deeper midfield position in order to prolong his career.
The United and England captain has been subject to criticism from all quarters due to his ineffective performances recently, and the Spanish midfielder, who currently plays for Qatari side Al-Sadd, believes that a midfield role would suit Rooney well.
According to the Daily Mirror, Xavi said:
Personally I think Rooney still has much to offer, but maybe it’s time for him to adapt. You get to an age and you can’t play the game you once used to, you can’t cover the ground you used to.
But intelligent players adapt and there’s no doubting Rooney has a very good footballing brain.
Maybe it’s time for a new striker at Manchester United, who can run for 90 minutes, but Rooney would be very dangerous in a deeper role. He has the vision and the passing range to play that role very well.
If he can adapt, there’s no reason why he can’t play at the top level for another five or six seasons. But as a player you must admit to yourself your body is changing and can’t do what it used to be able to do.
The midfield maestro has also warned Rooney that United manager Louis van Gaal is not afraid to drop star players if they aren’t performing, having experienced it first hand during the Dutchman’s spell in charge of Barcelona.
The 35-year old said:
Wayne Rooney is a player I have admired for a long time. He is an extraordinary player with extraordinary capabilities.
van Gaal does not respect names though. It doesn’t matter if you are the best player in the world, if he wants to drop you from the team, then he will drop you from the team.
I respect and like Van Gaal because he is honest and direct, and I like to deal with people like that, but it can be hard to listen to his harsh criticism at times. But if you do, it will ultimately improve you.
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