If I were to make a guess, he didn't like Rafael cause he ain't disciplined in defense. Maybe that's why he chose Darmian instead of Clyne.
For RVP, he want regular game time but LVG can't promise him that since Rooney is playing lone striker and is also captain of the team. Rooney alone up front was LVG best formation and gave the best results. That got us into Champions League, not RVP.
Personally I love RVP, but I am just making a guess why LVG is doing what he is doing. I have to say LVG is quite ruthless, but maybe he is just in his words "balancing the squad".
I am pretty sure Di Maria is staying though. LVG has a habit of changing players' natural position to make them better like how he changed schweinsteiger from winger to CM at Munich, he could be trying to train Depay to play Rooney role, that's why there's no strikers being linked to us.
But I am guessing only. It does makes sense though.
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