"Manchester United haven't got a proper centre-forward and we know Wayne Rooney has played in that position before.
"But it's not his best position. I think Benteke would have been a very good buy for Manchester United because he's an out and out centre-forward and Rooney can then afford to go deep and play off the centre-forward. I think that's his best position.
"At the moment, he's coming deep himself but then they don't have a spearhead. I think they need a proper centre-forward and Rooney to come deep and do his stuff and come from behind and get his goals from there.
"He was very, very poor against Villa and his touch as well, which is nothing to do with what position he's playing in. He's got to get back to form, he's got to get his concentration right. I don't think his concentration is right in the last couple of games I've seen him play.
Image: Peter Byrne / PA Wire/Press Association Images
"He needs to get it right very, very quickly from Van Gaal's point of view because he's the only forward, the only real striking forward that they have. We saw Memphis playing the other night and he scored two really, really good goals. If he can continue to do that, obviously that's a big help. But they definitely need a forward and Rooney at his best up front.
"I did see in the papers [them describing him] as if he's worn out. I don't think it matters how many matches you've played in the past as long as you're injury free. He has been generally injury free and fit now. The way he played against Villa, in not controlling the ball and losing the ball is absolutely nothing to do with the amount of matches he's played before.
"You don't get tired, you don't get worn out. It's not like a machine running down. He's able to run around, you seem him sprinting. If he was really worn out, he wouldn't be able to do that. So it's a question of mind over matter.
"The older you are, the harder it gets, but you just have to work at it and his general fitness is good. I think he looks good and I don't think he's overweight. I wouldn't attach the importance that some people are attaching to the amount of games he's already played."
John was speaking on Off The Ball as always on a Thursday.
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