Rooney given central role

Fergie tips striker to fire United to glory

Last updated: 8th August 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Rooney given central role

Rooney: Backed by Ferguson

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Sir Alex Ferguson expects Wayne Rooney to thrive under the pressure of having to score more goals this season.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been Manchester United's most prolific goalscorer in recent campaigns and doubts have been raised in some quarters about whether the team can be as successful without him.

Ferguson has brought in Michael Owen and will be hoping for a better return from Dimitar Berbatov, while Federico Macheda is also likely to get more opportunities following his emergence last term.

However, Rooney will have to shoulder much of the responsibility and the England international is set to play in a more central position up front, having previously being deployed in a variety of roles.

Ferguson is convinced that Rooney will cope with the weight of expectation and make a huge impact as United look to defend their Premier League title.

"I don't think the responsibility of getting more goals will affect Wayne at all," said the United boss.

Mental strength

"He's got the mental strength for all that kind of thing. He's proved that time and time again.

"He will be used as a central striker this season. He goes on these bursts of goals.

"Last season I think he hit seven in a row at one point - but if he can do that more consistently over the season, he will get to 25 and above.

"But Wayne is a totally different type of player to Ronaldo. I don't think you can compare them, they are such different types."