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Louis van Gaal has defended Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney and claimed the striker is justifying his place.

Ex-United captain Roy Keane tore into Rooney after the 0-0 midweek draw with PSV Eindhoven, claiming the striker “doesn’t look in great shape”.

Keane also questioned striker Rooney’s lifestyle off the pitch and said the forward needed to lead by example now he is wearing the armband for the Old Trafford giants.

The 30-year-old has scored just two Premier League goals this season and his below-par displays have seen some Red Devils fans call for the 30-year-old to be dropped.

But Van Gaal defended Rooney before Saturday's first vs second clash with Leicester and denied the skipper was immune to being dropped.

Asked if Rooney would still be picked if he wasn’t captain, Van Gaal said: “Yes, of course. Wayne is doing a lot, has a very great contribution in the team. So as a manager, I am very satisfied with him.

“But as a manager you are never happy with the form and shape of a player. You cannot always be top of the bill. You always have something you want to be better at, as a team and also as an individual player.

In pictures — Manchester United 0-0 PSV Eindhoven:

“You may think and criticise players or a team or a manager, but you have to do that with arguments, and not as a person. That’s why I can not answer this question, because there is always something to improve the quality of a player, the quality of a team.”

At the start of the season, Van Gaal backed Rooney to score 20-25 goals, but conceded that may be a tough ask with summer signing Anthony Martial now playing up front.

“At this moment, Wayne doesn’t play in the striker’s position. Martial is playing there,” said Van Gaal. “But it’s possible Wayne shall play other matches there.

(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

“It’s dependable not always on the quality and shape of the player at the moment, but also the game-plan, and we have to decide that every week.

“We have analysed Leicester and then we have to look at the shape and qualities of our players, but also the tiredness of every player, how they recover.

“Now we have played against PSV, within two days we have to play against Leicester, who are top of the table. I have to look at a lot of aspects and then make a lot of decisions.”