Wayne Rooney is grateful to new Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal for easing the squad into a more positive football philosophy after last season’s catalogue of disasters.
Rooney was superb throughout United’s tour of the United States, which finished with a 3-1 victory over arch-rivals Liverpool in Miami on Monday. United took home the International Champions Cup.
The England talisman is equally pleased with the effect the Dutchman has had on a squad which was dispirited and in disarray following the inept 10 month reign of David Moyes.
A change of system – with van Gaal favoring a 3-5-2 formation – has so far been successful in the short time since van Gaal took over.
“It’s been a good few weeks, we’ve got a new manager who wants us to play a different style of football,” Rooney said. “We’ve had to adapt. We’ve had some good results against top opposition so we can be pleased.”
Rooney added that the thinks the system suits the team, not only him and he likes the fact that van Gaal is “a tough manager but he’s been great since he came in.”
Van Gaal was pleased with such a successful start but immediately set his sights on the first game of the Barclays Premier League season.
United’s first trophy came through second-half goals from Rooney, Juan Mata and substitute Jesse Lingard following a Steven Gerrard first-half penalty for Liverpool.
After a quiet first half at the Sun Life Stadium, Rooney sparked United’s comeback with a neat volley, his fifth goal of the tour, and was later named player of the tournament.
Van Gaal played down its significance, instead saying he is focused on the visit of Swansea to Old Trafford on Aug. 16.
He said it is nice for the fans in the USA and also at home that they beat Liverpool but the most important game is against Swansea City.
The trophy, and the Chevrolet Cup, which van Gaal won after United beat the Los Angeles Galaxy a fortnight ago, are minor baubles for the ambitious Dutchman.
But the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager is at least happy he has returned to Manchester having notched five and an enhanced knowledge of his squad.
United did not have it easy in Miami at times, with Raheem Sterling troubling them constantly, but overall van Gaal was pleased that they responded well to his instructions and the tour was hugely successful.
Liverpool returned to Merseyside from their American tour having won three and lost two.
Losing to United was a blow but there were plenty of positives, including Sterling brilliant form, Philippe Coutinho getting over the fact he missed out on making the Brazilian World Cup squad to impress with some sizzling performances and youngsters like Jordon Ibe, 18, showing they are ready for first-team action.
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