Rooney claims Van Gaal is ‘by far’ best boss he’s played under – ahead of Man Utd legend Ferguson and ‘Special One’ Mourinho

WAYNE ROONEY says that Louis Van Gaal is the best manager he has ever played for.

The Dutchman split opinion during his two-year spell in charge at Old Trafford.

And with the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho having warmed the dugout over the years, Van Gaal’s tenure isn’t the stuff of legend.

But former United and England striker Rooney, now playing for DC United in the MLS, says the 67-year-old was the top boss of his career.

In an interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, the 33-year-old said: “Van Gaal is by far the best coach I have worked with – one hundred percent.

“His tactical skills, his way of preparing and his attention to the finest of details, I found amazing. I admired that in him. I had never looked at stuff like that before.”

KING LOUIS

Rooney had various run-ins with Sir Alex during their time together at United between 2004-17.

This included him handing in a transfer request during the 2012/13 campaign.

Van Gaal won just one trophy – the FA Cup in 2016, before he was sacked and replaced by Mourinho.

But Rooney may have been wishing the axe never swung on the former Ajax and Barcelona gaffer.

He added: “Van Gaal knows that the way he works is tough for players.

“I made him aware of that at the time and we talked about this very well together.

“I regret how it all ended, yet I know one thing for sure – I have learnt a lot from him and I am definitely going to use those lessons for when I am a manager.”

Rooney has admitted he is already looking to the future and becoming a manager himself, but things there are still more trophies to win as a player before he hangs up his boots.

And he clearly has plenty of talent left in those feet – he netted from the halfway line for the third time in his career for DC United in his last game.