Time is right for Rooney to be dropped - Shearer

Alan Shearer feels Louis van Gaal needs to drop the struggling Wayne Rooney, saying “the spark has gone out” for the Manchester United frontman.

The Manchester United and England captain has struggled for form this season and drew another blank in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace, meaning Rooney has scored just twice in 900 minutes of Premier League action this term. 

And Shearer feels it would be in both United’s and Shearer’s best interests if Van Gaal took his struggling striker out of the firing line for a spell. Continue.

“Time catches up with all of us and it seems to be catching up with him,” wrote Shearer in The Sun. “His spark has gone out at the moment. He needs time out of the game to relight that fire inside him.

“I know it will be a huge issue if boss Louis van Gaal takes the bold step and does leave him out for a couple of weeks but that is what needs to be done for the player’s own good.”

Despite that, Shearer is convinced Rooney can still have a say at the highest level – as long as he is played as a number ten rather than up front.

“He is far from finished, he just needs a break,” added the former Newcastle hitman.