Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has one more chance to prove to manager Louis Van Gaal he is worthy of a starting place in the red devils FA Cup semi-final against Everton.
The United skipper has recently returned from a knee injury and started the match against Aston Villa at the weekend, a rather uninspiring 1-0 victory.
With Marcus Rashford seemingly a certain starter in the current United eleven, due to his record of 7 goals in 12 games, Rooney is not guaranteed a place.
The captain has the chance to impress LVG this evening as United take on Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, in a game which Rooney will know he has to perform well in, if he wishes to lead the team out at Wembley on Saturday.
Van Gaal says Rooney has to play well
On the uncertainty of Rooney’s position van Gaal said: “I think he played very well in the first half (against Villa). He has trained today and he has recovered so we have to see how he is feeling in the second half against Crystal Palace, and still he has to play good.”
A good run halted
A frustrating season for Rooney saw him struggle to hit his best form in the earlier parts of the season, though the captain did pick up a good run just prior to his injury at Sunderland in February.
He scored important goals against Liverpool and Sheffield United and seemed at one point that he would be the one to guide United to the top four of the Premier League and to the further stages of the FA Cup.
With the captain now returned he will be desperate to get some much needed game time under his belt as he looks to solidify his starting place, not just in the United team, but for England at this summer’s European Championships.
United are in need of a convincing win over Palace tonight, three points with goals from Rooney would be the perfect tonic for LVG as his side look to go into Saturdays trip to London on a good run.