Premier League - Rooney wants central United role

Eurosport - Mon, 29 Jun 14:23:00 2009

Wayne Rooney has said he should be given the chance to spearhead Manchester United's attack following the exits of fellow forward talents Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.

Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo - 0

The England striker said he does not feel he was used in his rightful position of centre forward as he accommodated his Old Trafford team-mates last season on their way to retaining the Premier League trophy.

"We've lost two key players and obviously I hope we can get a few players in," Rooney told The Times.

"Between them Cristiano and Carlos scored a lot of goals for us last season and the season before, but I would like to think I'm capable of filling that gap.

"I've said before that, if I can play in my right position, I'm capable of doing that."

Rooney has often been asked to operate out wide by manager Alex Ferguson since joining from Everton.

The Liverpudlian is adamant that has prevented him from showing his best form on a consistent basis, and believes the time is right to make a permanent switch to the centre.

"I want to play in the position where I feel I'm best," he said. "A lot of people think I'm best as a centre forward.

"To play in a Champions League final and to play week in, week out for Manchester United is a privilege and it's something I'm very lucky to be doing, but I don't think playing on the wing I can express myself as much as I like to."

United lost the Champions League final to Barcelona in Rome last season.

PA Sport

Comment 75 - 94 of 94

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  1. ecam011 - Just wish both Liverpool and MU have more­ fans like you. Thank You

    From c, on Tue 30 Jun 10:04AM

  2. reminds me of when gerrard didnt want to play on the­ wing.

    From Big Fudge LFC, on Tue 30 Jun 9:28AM

  3. To CCS

    I am a united fan and agree with you that­ there is no need to pick up on other teams and their­ players with stupid comment that show nothing more that­ hate. For me taunting other teams is ok as long as it­ does not go too far and it does not enter into the­ Players private life. To wish someone like Gerard to be­ jailed is not only stupid but a crime against the sport­ .... I dont consider people who make such comments as­ fans but they are just fanatics.

    I hope Man United do­ even better this year even without ronaldo and Teves. I­ hope United sign a good young winger so as to allow­ rooney to play in the centre of the attack.

    From ernest, on Tue 30 Jun 7:54AM

  4. both berbatov and rooney can score, berbatov has the­ creativity and rooney has strenght and pace. it'll­ be fun to watch them play together and command the­ front line. add a solid midfield and they will both­ shine. im rather excited about the possiblites for the­ upcoming season. ronaldo is irreplaceable, thats a­ fact, but SAF has done more with less. at least 2­ trophies next season, you read it here first.

    From stoev8, on Tue 30 Jun 7:06AM

  5. Uh, I think you have an insecurity complex, Liverpool­ supporter; there is much discussion that goes on­ amongst us United fans that has absolutely nothing to­ do with Liverpool.

    At any rate, Rooney is a true Red­ Devil, full of panache, hustle, and talent. We salute­ you, Wazza, and hope that you are granted the role that­ you seek.

    COME ON, UNITED!!!!

    From United!!, on Tue 30 Jun 4:30AM

  6. I just don't get it why MU fans have to in some way­ or another, insult Liverpool in their comment. Just­ comment what the topic is about. Is that difficult?­ Some even hope Gerrard goes to jail. Just ask yourself­ if you're a football fans with cooment like that.

    From c, on Tue 30 Jun 2:13AM

  7. Rooney's nothing but a sewer rat.

    Great ­ footballer he may be, but to mock his own (and trust me­ when you come from somewhere like Crocky [where­ you're classed as a SCOUSER]... that's not on)­ that show's you just what he's all about!

    ONCE­ A BLUE, ALWAYS A MANC

    From scouse.fella, on Tue 30 Jun 12:55AM

  8. It's natural and not surprising that Rooney, has­ expressed that he thinks he should be played in the­ central forward position. Most people probably feel the­ same about it, especially now CR has gone. I expect­ that W.R would be given that position he higlighted­ with the squad being as it is at the moment. Summer­ signings can be expected at United but if it wasn't­ for this, the likely-hood that WR would be played in­ the central foward role would be almost certain.

    From harvister79, on Mon 29 Jun 10:35PM

  9. yea let him have the chance see what he can really do

    From TR, on Mon 29 Jun 7:58PM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    HOPE GERRARD SERVES IS TIME IN STRANGWAYS WERE ALL THE­ PRISON OFFICERS ARE MAN UTD SUPPORTERS MI BROTHER INLAW­ IS A OFFICER THERE AND HES A MAN UTD SEASON TICKET­ HOLDER LIKE MYSELF SO I HAVE PUT IN A SPECIAL REQUEST ­ FOR WHEN HE ARRIVES THE SCOUSE WILL ENJOY IS SIX MONTHS­ I PROMISE THIS TO THE MAN UTD FAITHFULL.

    From WAYNE, on Mon 29 Jun 6:28PM

  11. I have always said I would love to see Rooney return to­ the centre of attack. Has has played fantastic for us­ no matter were he play's. He has been are Un-sung­ hero for the last few season. How often have any Utd­ Fans seen Rooney play badly? Never! Were ever Rooney­ wants to play we should play him. At least Now that­ Ronaldo is away we Rooney & co will maybe get a­ ball into the box when they want it. I would love to­ see 2 world class crossers of the ball to make sure he­ get the service he deserves.

    From Andy, on Mon 29 Jun 6:25PM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    RICHARD KEEN GERRARD WAS ALLWAYS MOANING WHEN THE FAT­ SPANISH RAFA TURD PLAYED HIM ON THE RIGHT SIDE YOU­ LOSERPOOL SUPPORTERS ARE SCUM.
    GERRARD THE THUG AND­ DIVER WILL MISS HALF NEXT SEASON AS HE WILL GET SENT­ DOWN.
    GLOOOOOORY GLOOOOOORY MAN UTD
    PREMIER LEAGUE­ CHAMPIONS 2008/2009 FOR THE 11 TIME
    LOSERPOOL PREMIER­ LEAGUE TITLES NIL ZERO ZILCH HAHAHAHA

    From WAYNE, on Mon 29 Jun 6:04PM

  13. darren m & carlmarsden: Another bunch of­­ disillusioned Scouse Muppet's. Using the­­ abbreviation 'EPL' is not there purely for­­ America's sake you dimwits! Der! I hate KFC as­­ it's Chav food, being Scouse you'll know all­­ about being Chav. I think you'll find Steven­­ Gerrard and indeed LFC have not won anything of worth­­ for years, hence the empty trophy cabinet, unless you­­ go back over 20 years. Ah the good old days eh! Cilla,­­ Tarby, Sonia those were the days when Liverpool fans­­ had something to shout about but not now! Come back­­ when LFC win the EPL, after you've had your KFC of­­ course.

    From Sid, on Mon 29 Jun 6:00PM

  14. lol........lol............still remember parker said­ that rooney is like messi?? who can play in both wings­ and center forward without complaining at all??­ lol...lol........

    From Fazreen A, on Mon 29 Jun 5:58PM

  15. Whichever position you're playing in, hopefully­ your goals will lead United to their 19th league title!­ Glory Man Utd!!!

    From hawx_crew_360, on Mon 29 Jun 5:48PM

  16. Wazza, you got my vote for that central role. If­ that's where you feel comfortable the most,­ you'll have it.

    From hawx_crew_360, on Mon 29 Jun 5:46PM

  17. Rooney (shreck look alike ) stop complaining on were­ you play , you dont hear our Gerrard or Kuyt complain­ when used out of position . stop crying like a little­ Girl and play were put as a team player .

    Liverpool­ for ever

    From Richard Keen, on Mon 29 Jun 5:41PM

  18. mark YNWA WHAT AN ARSE-HOLE

    From keith j, on Mon 29 Jun 5:26PM

  19. beast 10 GET A LIFE

    From keith j, on Mon 29 Jun 5:25PM

  20. stavrosg9, TIT

    From keith j, on Mon 29 Jun 5:25PM
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