Manchester United are well on their way to beginning an exciting new era under Louis van Gaal, as the Dutchman’s first few games in charge of the side have all ended in victory. Although the club’s pre-season outing against Inter Milan finished 0-0, the Red Devils won the match 5-3 on penalties after Ashley Young, Javier Hernandez, Tom Cleverley, Shinji Kagawa and Darren Fletcher successfully converted each of their team’s spot-kicks.
The club’s first game of pre-season against LA Galaxy was much more decisive as they defeated the American side 7-0, before going on to claim a 3-2 win over Roma. Wayne Rooney scored two goals in each of the games, showing that he is ready for action once again after returning from England duty at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.
Speaking to his official website about the club’s time in the United States, Wayne said: “The tour has been great so far. It’s always good meeting back up with the lads and getting back training. I’d say the best part of the tour so far has been the reception we have had over here in America. It’s good to see that football is really growing over here and all the fans we have met have been great and have greeted us wherever we have been.”
With the Red Devils currently enjoying an impressive winning streak, Wayne also highlighted the importance of his side’s early performances.
“We’ve played three friendlies so far and won all of the games, which is always a positive,” he said, prior to the club’s clash with Real Madrid. “Although the third win was on penalties, we still played some good football at times. We’ve also got to see some of the new players in action and they’ve all done well so far. On a personal note I’m happy to have scored a couple of goals in the first couple of games. It’s always good to get off to a good start!”
United will be looking to continue their good form once the upcoming Premier League season is underway. This is a feeling the 28-year-old forward very much agrees with.
“I can’t wait for the new season to start,” Wayne said. “Last season wasn’t the best for us and everybody knows that, but we need to put that right and get Manchester United back up to the top of the table where the club belongs. The preparation up to now has been great and the mood is very positive in the squad.”
With the club having done some early business in the transfer market, the recent arrivals at United have been able to get to know their new team-mates on the tour. Wayne believes they will provide a boost to the squad next season and has been impressed by what he has seen so far.
“We’ve made some real quality signings and this has been shown in both training and in the games,” he said. “I’ve already played with Luke Shaw for England so I already know what a top player he is, and him along with the other signings have been really impressive.”
The presence of new manager Louis van Gaal has already had a positive effect on the team. Having led the Netherlands to third place at this year’s World Cup in Brazil, the Dutch coach has an incredible reputation and Wayne expressed his delight at working with him.
“The manager has been great,” the striker said. “Although we haven’t had long with him, it’s been great up to now and training’s been good. He’s a strong guy and very honest in training; if you are not doing well he will tell you, but if you do well he will praise you. If you aren’t doing things right in training you need to know so that you can put them right and that’s what he does. He is bringing in a new style of play and wants us all to adapt to that and that’s been enjoyable. It’s been good to see it work in the last couple of friendlies.”
Wayne played more than an hour in last night’s 3-1 win over Real Madrid and, as a new season quickly approaches, all the signs are pointing to a bright future for the Red Devils. After a very positive pre-season, the club have every reason to look forward to the start of the next Premier League campaign later this month.
Written by Tony Davies
Copyright 2014 Stoneygate 48 Limited. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.officialwaynerooney.com as the source.
