“Before they scored at the end of the first half, United had managed one shot at goal and none on target,” Rooney said.
“Their problem was their lack of movement in midfield, because they could not make the passes to get up the pitch. Instead, they were forced to play balls up to Zirkzee and it was very hard for him to do anything with them.
“The best centre-halves, like Arsenal’s are, force you under the ball in that situation or nick balls off you.
“If the ball is getting chipped in to you around the halfway line, which is what Zirkzee was getting, and you haven’t got the support in and around you, then it is very difficult and you have to work extremely hard.
“Firstly, you are fighting the centre-half and holding him off you. Then you’ve got to get the ball under control and try to bring someone into play.
“If the quality of the pass up to you is not great, especially when it is coming to you around your neck like some of United’s passes were.
“A lot of the time Zirkzee was getting given a 50-50 ball, the kind where you have to work wonders to win it. Ideally, what you want is your team to make a few passes and play out of the pressure, then as the striker you are getting the ball to feet, which makes it a lot easier, and you are closer to the opposition goal too.
“For a centre-half, if you are facing your own goal and in your own half, then it makes their job a lot easier, but if you are higher up the pitch the striker has lots more options. The defender cannot be all over you because they are afraid of giving free-kicks away.
“What United needed to do was get some control of the game, and get on the ball. Then the striker can make the little five yard bursts to get behind the defence, which give you a better chance of scoring.”
