Van Gaal conceded that Rooney, 29, was “maybe the best striker” at United but argued that he needed him to fulfil another role. “I have explained already a lot of times that it is not because anyone is not a good player in my selection but you have to compare,” he said. “And I have to like what is the biggest contribution where a player can play, and other players also. It is the composition of the team and the composition is more important than the individual player, I’m sorry for that.