adminLONDON – Wayne Rooney says he is “happy” at Manchester United now that he is playing up front under David Moyes rather than midfield or wide roles he was occasionally made to play under Sir Alex Ferguson. In a wide-ranging discussion as he wound down after England’s training at St George’s Park, Rooney talked openly of his belief that he would reach a record 50 goals for England, of his faith in Roy Hodgson, of being karate-kicked by Phil Jones, of how Moyes made him fitter, and he began by giving the strongest indication that his future lies at Old Trafford.
“You can see I’m playing and I’m happy in my football,’’ Rooney said. “I’ll have more discussions with the club and we’ll see what happens from there.’’ United are keen on giving him a new deal.
The reason for his discontent last season was that Ferguson did not field him in his optimum position, playing just off Robin van Persie. “I didn’t feel I got a consistent run of games up front,’’ Rooney said.
“I actually felt when I played midfield I did OK but I didn’t want to play there. I felt I deserved the right to play in my position and that wasn’t happening. I can play midfield. Maybe when I’m a bit older, losing my legs a bit, I can go back there.’’
Asked whether he made his desire to play up front known to management, Rooney said: “Everyone at the club knew that’s where I wanted to play. That’s why I was disappointed because I got told to play in midfield and I didn’t want to but I’d always go in and try to help the team. There had to come a point where for my own career I had to be a bit selfish really.’’
So ensued the stand-off with Ferguson, who responded by declaring that Rooney wanted to leave. There then followed Chelsea’s pursuit of United’s No?10 and Jose Mourinho’s comments about Rooney needing to “finish the story”. Which he did. By staying.
According to Rooney, he has been “settled all summer”, signalling the level of his fall-out with Ferguson, who retired in May. “Obviously there’s been a lot of stuff happening and people waiting for me to say whatever but I’ve spoken to the people who matter at the club and we’ve known ourselves what we’re doing.
“I’m not going to go around saying: ‘I wanted to stay or I wanted to leave.’ I’ve just got my head down and worked hard. I’ve been focused and been wanting to prove to people that I’m a top player. I wanted to prove it to myself really rather than anyone else.
“David Moyes has come in and he’s playing me up front and I’m enjoying it. I really have been happy all summer. From the outside looking in, it might not seem like it but I’ve been settled. My wife had a new child and I’ve been really happy and focused and I’m just delighted to be back playing and injury-free and fit.” – Telegraph
Online Reporter