Wayne Rooney must feel like he is playing under Louis van Gaal, says Martin Keown as ponderous Everton draw vital Europa League tie

Wayne Rooney scored Everton's first goal of their Europa League tie against Apollon Limassol on Thursday night but he could do very little to stop his side slumping to a disappointing draw on the night. 

Having lost their opening group match, the pressure was on the Toffees to sweep aside their Cypriot visitors.

But the Premier League side looked sluggish and BT Sport pundit Martin Keown said it may be an all too familiar scene for Rooney.

Martin Keown said Wayne Rooney must feel like he's at Old Trafford under Louis van Gaal

Martin Keown said Wayne Rooney must feel like he's at Old Trafford under Louis van Gaal

Speaking after the 2-2 draw, Keown said: 'It would have been interesting to speak to Wayne Rooney after the final whistle, does he almost now feel like he's playing for van Gaal?'


Manchester United's forward line appeared to stagnate under van Gaal and they lost some of that attacking flair which had become a tradition at the club.

Rooney seemed to suffer the most during the period under the Dutchman which marked a dampening of his powers.

Keown added: 'Is he back to the Manchester United-looking team that he played for just a couple of seasons ago because it was slow, they were ponderous and I'm looking at Koeman and wondering is he using the best players at his disposal? Mirallas and Lookman on the bench, they're good runners with the ball'  

Manchester United forward line looked sluggish when van Gaal was in charge of the club 

Manchester United forward line looked sluggish when van Gaal was in charge of the club 

Everton have certainly struggled in front of goal this season, scoring just four goals in a so far desperate start to the Premier League. 

Ronald Koeman had expressed his desire to bring in a striker during the summer transfer window and, despite the impressive form of youngster Dominic Calvert-Lewin, it looks like the Toffees are short of attacking flair. 

The draw at Apollon Limassol puts Everton bottom on their Europa League group and leaves plenty for them to do if they are going to qualify. 

The striker scored but Everton drew in their disappointing match against Apollon Limassol

The striker scored but Everton drew in their disappointing match against Apollon Limassol