Rooney: I'm in my prime and loving it

Wayne Rooney last night admitted he was revelling in his role as Manchester United’s new talisman as he vowed: “I’ve never felt better.”

England ace Rooney has grasped the responsibility of succeeding Cristiano Ronaldo as the focus and inspiration of United’s glory tilt.

And as he headed out for tonight’s Champions League crunch with AC Milan, Rooney publicly thanked Sir Alex Ferguson for urging him to take up the mantle of on-field leadership.

Rooney said: “I’ve got more responsibility in the team now and I’m enjoying having more of that responsibility.

“I know it’s there and it doesn’t bother me at all. I like having it.

“Wherever I’ve played, I have always given my all. It’s the only way I know how to play.

“But with the system we use, the difference is I’m playing up front instead of Ronaldo now, whereas before I might be put out wide.

“The truth is I’m loving being the main striker up front on my own, that is my favourite position. I would have to say this has been my best season so far as a professional, I am playing well, and scoring more goals.”

Rooney, whose nine-goal return in England’s World Cup qualifying campaign set a new Three Lions record, is on course for the Premier League Golden Boot with 21 strikes to his name.

Remarkably, he has not scored in Europe since the home draw with Porto last April, a statistical blip he intends to put right in the San Siro this evening.

“I’ve just become a more clinical striker,” added Rooney. “I’m taking up better positions and taking my chances now.

“I reckon it is all about spending more time in the penalty box, getting right in there and getting on the end of the ball.

“All my goals have been scored in the penalty box this season, whereas before I got a few from outside it too.

“I’m just working really hard in training, each day my aim is to try and get a little bit better and work on lots of different things in my game, and it seems to be happening for me at the moment.

“I know that Fabio Capello says I’ve improved in every area of the pitch and I hope that’s true.

“I’ve been working on all areas of my game, not just goal scoring, and the way I see it, if I work hard and practice, even if it helps me just one per cent better, then it’s worth it.”