Exclusive Wayne Rooney Interview: "I want to be the best"

By Mirror Football in Mirror Football Blog

Published 23:00 01/10/09

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Exclusive by David McDonnell

Wayne Rooney has revealed his desire to become Manchester United's main man and lead the club into a new era of success post-Cristiano Ronaldo.

Rooney admitted United became reliant on Ronaldo as Sir Alex Ferguson built his team around the hugely-talented winger's unique ability and goal threat.

But following Ronaldo's £80million move to Real Madrid, the spotlight is now on Rooney and he is relishing the chance to prove he can fill the void left by United's former star man.

"As a footballer you want to be the best and I'm no different," said Rooney. "It would be nice to be the main man, but for me the team is the most important thing.

"It's different without Cristiano here. When he was here, the team was basically built around him and we went from there.

"But now he's gone, everyone knows their positions and what we have to do to break teams down.

"It's a different way of playing, and any team would miss a player like Cristiano, but we feel like we're doing well without him.

"We do everything together as a team, but if it means I'm the one who has to score the goals now he's gone, then I hope it happens.

"I always try to score more goals than the previous season, and now I'm taking penalties, I could maybe get an extra five or six goals."

The next 12 months are shaping up to be the biggest in Rooney's already glittering and successful career, both on and off the field.

His wife Coleen is due to give birth to their first child on October 25 - the day after Rooney turns 24 - and United are aiming to overtake arch rivals Liverpool by winning a 19th title.

Then there is the small matter of the World Cup in South Africa next summer, when Rooney will be the focal point of England's attack and the man on whom the nation will pin its hopes.

So no pressure there, then. "It's a big year for United, for England and for me personally," said Rooney, smiling at the thought of everything that lies ahead.

"I'm going to become a dad, and of course it's a massive season for everyone at United.

"We've won the last three titles and it would be a big step if we could make it four in a row this season.

"To overtake Liverpool and get 19 titles would be brilliant, especially with me growing up there and being an Everton fan.

"Then I've got the World Cup with England, which is going to be a great experience, so I've got a lot to look forward to."

This week Rooney celebrated the fifth anniversary of his breathtaking United debut, when he scored a stunning hat-trick in a 6-2 win over Fenerbahce at Old Trafford.

Since then he has won three Premier League titles, one Champions League and one League Cup, but admitted he thought he would have to wait longer for such success.

"The last five years have flown by but I've really enjoyed them, especially the last three when we've been successful," said Rooney.

"After the first year I was here I thought it might be a while before we won our first trophy, because Chelsea looked so strong.

"I was thinking it could be a while before we won the league again. Chelsea won it the first two years I was here, then we won it and have really kicked on since then.

"Having been champions for the past three seasons, we all know this is a massive season for us, to show we're still the top team in the country.

"Apart from losing at Burnley early on, we've been able to grind out results, even when we haven't played that well, which is a good sign."

With Ronaldo now consigned to United's past, the future is very much about Rooney and whether he can help sustain the extraordinary success the club has enjoyed.

And now he has been restored to his favoured striking role, rather than being shunted out wide to accommodate Ronaldo, Rooney is confident he can deliver.

"I'm happy with the position I'm playing in now," said Rooney. "I'm scoring goals and hopefully that will continue.

"Last season I played on the left a lot, and I'm always happy to do whatever the manager wants.

"But I've always said I prefer to play up front, and thankfully I've played every game there this season. Now it's up to me and the rest of the team to show what we can do."

“Wayne Rooney was speaking on behalf of Betfair – the home of football rivalry where fans bet against each other. For the latest footy news, entertainment and to see exclusive, behind-the-scenes content v isit www.betfairfootball.com

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