Wayne Rooney says it is the biggest season of his career to date, as he faces up to the task of replacing Cristiano Ronaldo’s goals for United and qualifying for the 2010 World Cup with England. The striker, who has been playing in a central role for both club and country recently, has scored four goals in as many games for United this season.
“It’s definitely going to be the biggest year for me,” said Rooney.
“I was looking forward to the start of the season. It was a bigger challenge because we had lost Cristiano and Carlos Tevez. We haven’t played as well as we can do, but we have still got three good results.
“The first four or five games have gone reasonably well. In fact it is probably the best start I have had to a season for United goalscoring wise.
“I am really enjoying it. The manager has come out and said I will play up front and obviously I am pleased about that.”
Rooney has scored 10 goals in his past 13 internationals and puts much of his goalscoring form – for club and country – down to working with England manager Fabio Capello.
“He said to me ‘get in front of the goal more’,” said Rooney.
“He is on the training pitch all the time – and telling me to do certain things.
“He explains what he wants you to do, how he wants us to play, what team shape he wants us to do, explains about the other teams, where the threat comes from. He’s definitely the best manager for England.”