The experienced, talismanic 29-year-old spent some of the last campaign playing in midfield but still managed to score 14 goals in all competitions, finishing as the club’s top scorer. But the manager recently confirmed Rooney will play up front this term and the player is up for the job.
“It's a position where I think I can score goals,” Rooney told the media during Friday’s pre-match press conference at the Avaya Stadium, where the squad also trained. “Hopefully I can do that. I am ready to take that mantle on and be the one who gets the goals for us.”
Asked if he has set a personal target for the season, the captain claimed he is not looking beyond the tour. “None at the minute,” he said. “Obviously I’m working on getting fit and ready for the start of the season. I have never really been one to set personal targets, just to do well for the team.”
Saturday’s match against Barcelona in the International Champions Cup will provide United with an intriguing test following recent wins against Club America and San Jose Earthquakes, and Rooney is looking forward to facing the European champions and finding out what shape the Reds are in.
“Over the last few years they have been probably the best team in Europe and it is down to us to prove we are as good as them,” Wayne explained, ahead of Saturday’s 21:00 BST kick-off. “It is good to play them and it will show us where we are at.
“At the beginning of last season the manager told us it would take a while to adapt to the changes," continued Rooney. "As players you don’t think it will but from Christmas and towards the end of the season I felt we played some great football, understood exactly what the manager wanted from us, and particularly in the big games we did really well.
“We can take that as a positive. It was the games we expected to win where we disappointed ourselves. We know what is expected of us and what we have to do. We are positive and excited for the season.”
Unfortunately, new signing Bastian Schweinsteiger will not face the Catalan giants after suffering a “little injury” in training and the German will now hope to recover in time to face Paris Saint-Germain in Chicago on Wednesday. Nevertheless, Rooney is delighted the World Cup-winner has joined the United ranks.
“He is obviously a fantastic player,” the captain praised. “Everyone has seen that over the years and since he has joined up with the squad he has been a fantastic person, talking with all the players and the young players too which is a great help to them, having someone of that experience and who is that successful. He is a great addition to the team and I feel it will be a very good signing for us."
As the most senior player in the United squad, and as skipper, Rooney also feels he has a responsibility to help the club’s four summer signings settle in. However, he was keen to point out that our new recruits must ultimately look after themselves and impress.
“It is obviously important to help the new players settle in and the ones we have brought in are experienced and successful," he added. "I am sure they will add a lot to the team. I can try and help them learn about the history of the club and what is expected to be here and be successful, but it is down to the players to prove themselves and create their own history.”
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