Simply put, this season has not been a good one for Manchester United. The Red Devils made a return to the Champions League, only to be dumped out after finishing third in their group and will now have to try their luck in the Europa League. Not too long ago, the thought of featuring in Europe's second-tier competition would not have crossed the minds of Red Devils supporters, but as things are, it will become a reality as they prepare to take on Danish outfit Midtjylland tomorrow.
Founded in 1999, and winners of the Danish Superliga for the first time in 2015, one can certainly be forgiven if they know little about Manchester United's upcoming opponents, especially given that most Red Devils fans and neutrals live outside of Denmark. But despite their lack of worldwide acclaim, this is the team that will stand between Manchester United and reaching the Europa League round of 16, and as such, Louis Van Gaal's men will have to take their two-legged tie very seriously.
Unfortunately, Van Gaal - whose time at Old Trafford appears to be numbered - will have to navigate through some unfamiliar territory without his skipper as Wayne Rooney will be out for six weeks after suffering a knee injury. This could not come at a worse time for the team, who are six points adrift of fourth place in the league and will be shorn of a player whose uptick in form this year has prevented them from totally suffering a massive collapse.
Without Rooney, Manchester United could become a team adrift lacking his leadership on the pitch
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How much will the team miss the 30-year-old English international? Well, let's have a look at some stats:
- Rooney has been directly involved in eight goals since the start of 2016. With five goals and three assists, this is the most out of any other player in the Premier League so far.
- With 14 goals across all competitions, he is also the team's top goal-scorer. Second and third are Anthony Martial, with 10, and Juan Mata, with six.
- Although he has had the most attempts on goal - with 65 - he still bests teammates Martial and Memphis Depay, with 31 shots on target versus Depay's 29 and Martial's 23.
- The Three Lions star has created a total of 45 chances for Manchester United in the 2015/2016 season. Only Mata has done better, with 60 for the Red Devils across all competitions.
- Four assists for Rooney place him third in that department, where he's again beaten out by Mata's six and Martial's five.
Although he has scored just seven Premier League goals - hardly enough to make him a contender for this season's Golden Boot - his return of seven goals in his last nine matches across all competitions is something not to ignore. And several of these goals have come at crucial times for Manchester United, making the difference between a draw and a win. Starting from their January 2nd clash against Swansea City, Rooney has scored the game-winner on three occasions, and has either opened proceedings or closed out a game on three others.
So, how will Van Gaal cope without his star striker? Well, for starters, the Dutch tactician did have some viable options in his ranks not too long ago, but he must be surely regretting letting Danny Welbeck depart for Arsenal and not venturing into this winter's transfer market to find a suitable back-up.
Most likely, he will have to rely on a combination of youth and tinkering with his first-team players. He has already had to call on the likes of 19-year-old Cameron Borthwick-Jackson due to an injury to Ashley Young and 21-year-old Donald Love as a sufollowing Matteo Darmian's dislocated shoulder against Sunderland on Saturday.
One option will be to move Martial, who has been impressive in his debut season at Old Trafford into a more central role, whilst Rooney's absence and this shift could allow Memphis Depay - who has not been so impressive - back into the starting XI on the flank. Both Martial and Depay could further flourish in Rooney's absence, but it could also backfire as the young French international is still growing into his role in Manchester United's attack and may not benefit from a move at this point in the season.
Another could be to recall some additional youth and some fringe players, with names like 20-year-old James Wilson and and 23-year-old Will Keane, who has only made two appearances for Manchester United as a substitute being bandied about in some press outlets.
Whatever Van Gaal opts to do, one thing is certain: Rooney's absence will leave a huge hole in the squad. And with the Red Devils desperate for success in the Europa League as a way to be back in the Champions League next season, his captain's injury could not have come at a worse possible time for a club who has struggled to reach the heights fans once enjoyed in prior seasons.
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