Wayne Rooney targets Sir Bobby Charlton's England scoring record

Wayne Rooney is determined to be England’s “main man” at next summer’s World Cup - and break Sir Bobby Charlton’s goal scoring record.

It is easy to forget that Rooney is still only 23 and approaching his third major tournament for England – and he is shouldering even more responsibility at Manchester United after Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure.

Rooney scored ten goals in seven games for England last season, a run which has transformed his reputation from being goal-shy into prolific marksman.

He has now scored 24 goals in 53 caps which is still some way behind United legend and World Cup winner Charlton’s all-time record of 49 goals for England.

But Rooney has time on his side and also the experience of having big expectations on his shoulders to be able to cope with the biggest season of his career for club and country.

There was even a sense of unfinished business as Rooney spoke yesterday, having had the last World Cup overshadowed by his metatarsal injury curse.

When asked whether he can be England’s main man, Rooney said: “I hope I can be. I am playing probably playing the best football I have played for England certainly over the last year.

“I am really enjoying myself with United. Hopefully that will continue and both United and England will benefit from that.

“I started playing when I was 16 and there has been expectation, pressure, and I have no problem with that. I see it as a challenge.

“With Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez leaving, as a team we see it as a big challenge for us to retain the League and personally, I want to score more goals.

“I should be scoring more goals. Then the World Cup as well. It’s definitely going to be the biggest year for me.”

Rooney has certainly relished that challenge under Fabio Capello and developed his game for England, having endured a three-year drought without a competitive goal for his country after Euro 2004.

That seems a distant memory now. Rooney has taken Capello’s advice about being more prolific in front of goal which has pushed him up the scoring charts and left him dreaming of beating Charlton’s record.

Rooney said: “It’s an amazing record he’s got. Obviously, I have spoken to him about different things about football.

“He’s always around the club, comes to all the games, speaks to you, tries to give you advice, which I am grateful for.

“I have seen some of his goals. When the ball is rolling, I don’t think I have seen a harder shot than his.

“But hopefully I can continue and keep scoring. It’s probably the best start I have had to a season for Man United goalscoring wise and I am enjoying it.”

Capello’s first advice to Rooney was to be more clinical in front of goal and that appears to be paying off for club and country, particularly as he is playing down the middle for United.

“I agreed with that,” said Rooney. “Not only for England but Manchester United as well.

“There was a stage when I was playing too deep and not in the box enough to get into goalscoring positions.

“Obviously through Sir Alex and Fabio, the two of them have tried to get me to play further up the pitch and get in better positions to score more goals.”

Rooney has gone from England’s teenage prodigy to established international but David Beckham and Michael Owen have been the bigger stars of previous campaigns.

But just as Capello has helped transform Rooney, so has the Italian manager done away with the comfort zone in the England camp.

There are no more guaranteed picks, no more shoe-ins for Beckham and even Rooney - despite his goalscoring run - says he is still fearful for his place if ever he has an off-day.

Rooney said: “I think his (Capello) presence when he first arrived was clear for everyone to see. He is a fearsome man, strong, passionate and wants to win. He has definitely helped me and the team.

“He’s probably the first England manager I have played under where you know if you don’t play there’s a chance you are not going to be in the starting XI the next game. He keeps all the players on their toes.

“We know we have to play well every game. He’s definitely helped more than any other England manager. He’s definitely the best manager for England.

“He said to me get in front of the goal more. He is on the training pitch all the time helping me and telling me to do certain things.

“Sometimes you will watch the video back and watch different games and analyse them. Even in training you could be on the video later on for mistakes so you always have to be on top of your game.”