London - Despite assurances from manager Louis van Gaal that he is making a ‘very great contribution’, Wayne Rooney could be forgiven for casting an envious glance at Jamie Vardy when first play second at the King Power Stadium on Saturday evening.
Manchester United will leapfrog Leicester at the top if they win but that is only likely to happen if they stop Vardy from breaking Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record by scoring for an 11th consecutive Premier League game.
In contrast, Rooney has just two league goals this season.
‘Vardy is difficult to defend against,’ conceded Van Gaal.
‘It was like that last season and even more so now. Vardy is like Van Nistelrooy - highly concentrated to make goals and always running in behind.
‘It shall be difficult to stop him but we can do that because we have a lot of clean sheets already (13).’
There is also a sense of United owing Vardy one after the striker had a hand in every goal when Leicester beat United 5-3 at the King Power Stadium last season.
Van Gaal was particularly irked at the award of a penalty after Vardy fell under a challenge by Rafael da Silva with United 3-1 ahead. ‘He provoked a penalty, I think,’ said the United boss. ‘It was the start of Leicester’s comeback.’
How 30-year-old Rooney needs a goal right now with United having drawn four of their past seven games 0-0.
But Van Gaal insisted that he does not pick Rooney just because he is captain. ‘Wayne is doing a lot, has a very great contribution in the team. I am very satisfied with him,’ said the Dutchman.
Asked if Rooney is worth his place on merit rather than status, he insisted: ‘Yes, of course. Otherwise he is out of the team.’
Daily Mail