Manchester United will sign a surprise striker says Louis van Gaal Last Updated: 21/07/15 7:34am
Louis van Gaal has revealed that Manchester United are on the verge of signing a new striker – but the Old Trafford boss refused to reveal the identity of the mystery man. The Dutchman hinted at a “surprise” signing after United's 1-0 win over Club America at the weekend.
And while he stopped short of telling reporters in America who he was looking at, Van Gaal again dropped a cryptic clue suggesting a forward could be heading to the club.
"He's in the process,” Van Gaal said. “It's not the striker that the media has written about. You have to wait and see. “The transfer period is open until August 31. You have to wait." He also refused to rule out the signing of Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos who has been linked with a move to United all summer.
The 63-year-old added: "I cannot talk about these rumours. I have said already it's a process and maybe Mr Ramos is in the process - you never know." Van Gaal also described Wayne Rooney as a “great captain” as he prepares to grant the former Everton forward his wish of playing in his preferred role upfront.
He made Rooney his skipper last August when he took over at Old Trafford after leading Holland to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Brazil.
And the England striker's performance in the role made a lasting impression on Van Gaal.
"I could not have expected more," he said. "I think he's a great captain. Better than I had expected. He is fully accepted by the players and that's also very important because I can choose the captain but the players decide.
“That is my philosophy - the players have to accept the captains and the first captain is Wayne Rooney and the second captain is Michael Carrick."
Rooney spent a frustrating season at United last year, being deployed in various positions including playing in midfield, out wide or as a withdrawn striker.
However, Van Gaal is now planning to give Rooney an opportunity to nail down his favoured starting position as an out-and-out centre-forward.
"I've listened to you and that's why," Van Gaal joked to journalists when asked to explain his decision. "I think you have more knowledge than I, so now Rooney is there." Rooney, who led the line in a 4-2-3-1 formation for 45 minutes against Club America in Seattle on Friday, is relishing the chance to stake a claim to the striker's role.
"My best position, and I have always said it, is as a striker, getting into the box," Rooney said.
"And the two seasons I have really done that as a lone striker have been my two best goalscoring seasons. It is where the manager and myself see my best position.
"Hopefully I can get a good run of games and repay the manager and score goals for the team, but it is obviously on me to do that.
"I have no doubts that I can score 20 goals or more again and I am ready to take on that mantle and be the one who gets the goals for this team.
"If I play up there again this season, then I can get the goals. It is where I like and it is where I will play."
Rooney has set himself a target of scoring more than 20 goals for Manchester United this season after finding the net just 14 times last year in all competitions, his lowest return since joining the club from Everton in 2004.
The 29-year-old believes his goalscoring record for England suggests he will provide United with a potent threat following the departures of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao.
"I have played different roles over the years for United, but you only have to look when I play for England as a striker, I score goals," Rooney said.
"I hope to score 20 or more goals again this season. If I am playing as a striker, I will be disappointed if I cannot that do that.
"The last time I really played the full season as a striker was 2011-12. All the other seasons, I have been up front, then in midfield or out wide, so hopefully I will stay up front."
After United play San Jose on Tuesday they face a further game against Barcelona on Saturday before wrapping up their tour against Paris Saint Germain in Chicago.
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9919403/manchester-united-will-sign-a-surprise-striker-says-louis-van-gaal
