Louis van Gaal is not “satisfied” with Wayne Rooney as a striker, believing Radamel Falcao is better in the position, and he has suggested the Manchester United captain may have to play in midfield, with the move implying Juan Mata is no longer first choice.

United suffered a 5-3 defeat at Leicester City on Sunday having led 3-1 before Nigel Pearson’s team scored four unanswered goals to hand the 20-times champions a second league defeat of the season. It left United in 12th place with five points from five games.

Speaking before the match at the King Power Stadium to explain a selection that had Rooney replacing Mata as the No10 and Falcao partnering Robin van Persie, Van Gaal said: “We have played well but can improve and I was not so satisfied with Rooney as a striker and Mata as midfielder and that’s why I’m changing.

“Rooney can play in more positions, he’s a multifunctional player and I have tried him in a striker’s position. He’s played well but not spectacular and Falcao is a striker and I think he can do it better.”

Van Gaal again played a 4-3-1-2 formation with Rooney in the hole behind the strikers and after stating on Friday his captain has “privileges” regarding always being selected, then Mata may be demoted to a permanent place on the bench.

On having to change positions, Rooney said: “I’m happy to play out wide – I can do a job there and I can do a job up front. It depends on the situation of each game and what the manager wants me to do.”

The 28-year-old also admitted he is now a different kind of footballer. “I’m not the player I was. I feel I’ve progressed my game. So I agree with the people who say my game has changed. I [did] too much running when I was younger and then didn’t have the energy to get myself into scoring positions in the box.

“I’m a cleverer player now and know when to run into the box and when not to, and as a result more chances have come my way and I’ve scored a lot more goals.”

Marouane Fellaini has declared himself back in training with United after recovering from the ankle injury he suffered a month ago.

The midfielder might have been allowed to depart the club by Van Gaal if a suitable deal had been offered until the midfielder was ruled out because of the problem.

Fellaini returned to Belgium to commence his rehabilitation, with the 26-year-old posting pictures of himself undergoing sessions.

On Sunday Fellaini posted on Facebook: “Back to Manchester tonight ready for training tomorrow!” This was alongside a photograph of himself that may have been at an airport.

Fellaini would appear to have only a remote chance of being available for Saturday’s visit of West Ham United, given that he would have been back at the club for only six days.