Eddie Howe comments on Rooney being Played as Midfielder

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe says that he can see the reasoning behind Manchester United Louis van Gaal using striker Wayne Rooney as a midfielder.

The position of the former Evertonian has been subjected to much debate throughout his career. Some regard that his best position of the pitch is playing as the number 10, but Rooney has found equal success in almost every place. His incredible workrate is a major factor behind the success, but critics also claim that being used in a number of questions has effectively spoiled his career.

They feel that his career has become great, while it could have been the best, as a result of being constantly shifted across the pitch. Questions about Rooney’s potential inclusion in the Euro 2016 squad have been posed to regularly to manager Roy Hodgson. Rooney’s poor form during the 2015-16 season has been a major factor in his position being doubtful despite being the captain of the national team. Howe believes that Rooney will be a goal threat from whichever position he plays. Since this only improves the goal threat within a team, Howe sees no reason why Rooney can continue in this position. The England international is expected to drop deeper as he approaches the end of his career.

"Whether I would have moved Wayne Rooney right back into a deeper midfield role, I don't know, but I can certainly see the logic behind it.I don't think it matters what position he plays, he is a very good footballer and you don't score the number of goals he has without being a top player.Players like that don't lose the habit of scoring goals. They find areas on the pitch where they can be a danger. Wherever he plays, he will be a goal threat and someone we need to deal with,” said Howe.