O'Shea gives Rooney insight

United striker puts team glory before individual honour

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 24th October 2008

manchester united wayne rooney west brom

Rooney: Chasing 100th goal

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John O'Shea insists three points this weekend will be more important to Wayne Rooney than personal accolades.

The Manchester United forward needs just one more goal to complete a century of strikes in club football.

Ironically he heads to Everton this weekend, the club where he learnt his trade as a precocious teenager.

He will also be looking to score in an eighth straight game for club and country, having become virtually unplayable in recent weeks.

O'Shea admits his team-mate will be keen to be among the goals once more at Goodison Park, but believes collective glory comes first with the combative 23-year-old.

Milestone

"It would be brilliant for Wayne but not for the Toffees," said the Irishman.

"Football always seems to throw up these conundrums.

"It would be fantastic if he does it. To achieve that milestone on the ground where he started his career would be very pleasing indeed.

"But, knowing Wayne, I think he would be more delighted because it could mean three points."

Overshadowed

O'Shea admits it is difficult to pinpoint where Rooney's blistering form has come from, although he accepts the deadline day arrival of Bulgarian talisman Dimitar Berbatov has helped lighten the creative burden.

"It could be a Berbatov factor but I also think it is match sharpness and the fact he is staying up front more," he added.

"That is where Dimitar really comes into it because he drops back as well and they have developed the right balance.

"Wayne has always put a lot of effort in, which sometimes overshadowed the fact he hasn't scored goals.

"Now he is scoring goals as well, he mustn't be trying as hard!"