Louis van Gaal counting on Wayne Rooney for run-in

Louis van Gaal is counting on Wayne Rooney to give Manchester United an extra spark as the season comes to a close.

What had long looked like being another forgettable season in the post-Alex Ferguson era could yet end with a flourish.

A first FA Cup in 12 years remains within reach if they can navigate their way through Wednesday’s quarter-final replay at West Ham, while securing a third-straight league victory on Sunday would bolster their chances of Champions League qualification.