Stoke boss Mark Hughes backs Wayne Rooney to evolve at Manchester United
Saturday 1 October 2016 14:29, UK
Wayne Rooney will continue to shine at Manchester United as long as he emulates Ryan Giggs and adapts his position, says Mark Hughes.
Rooney has started on the bench for United's last two games, against Leicester and Zorya Luhansk, and Jose Mourinho must decide whether to recall his captain for the visit of Hughes' Stoke side on Sunday.
Mourinho must also decide whether to follow his predecessor Louis van Gaal and deploy Rooney in a deep midfield role or play him in his original position as a striker.
The 30-year-old has had very mixed reviews in a deeper role but Hughes believes he can adapt as his career heads into its later years, citing the example of United great Giggs.
"Look at Ryan Giggs, who burst on the scene as a flying winger with unbelievable pace," the Stoke boss said.
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"As he got older his role changed and the way he played changed.
"The key is that good players can do that and clearly Wayne's an outstanding player and he'll have the ability to change and still be an effective player for them."
Stoke travel to Old Trafford looking for their first Premier League win of the campaign after losing four of their opening six games.
United meanwhile are looking for a fourth successive win in all competitions and Hughes, who was a Red Devils player for 13 years across two spells, thinks Rooney still has a big influence on his former side.
Concerning recent criticism of Rooney, Hughes said: "There always seems to be a debate about Wayne and where he's playing and his value to the team.
"Clearly he's a senior player, he's the captain, and his influence on the group is huge I would imagine. The key is levels of form I would think.
"Obviously on occasion some players will lose form and Wayne isn't immune to that but when he's at the top of the game then clearly his influence on the pitch is going to be great."
