Jun 5 2009, 06:00 PM
QUOTE
Wayne Rooney believes it is time to get selfish after he revealed he only wants to play as a central striker for Manchester United.
The 23-year-old was used wide on the left-hand-side during the latter stages of the season at Old Trafford, a role he admits he doesn't enjoy.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists that the frontman can be just as dangerous out wide but in recent outings, including the UEFA Champions League final defeat to Barcelona Rooney has cut a forlorn figure on the left flank.
The former Everton striker admits that his best position is where he is currently being deployed for England and where he has scored the majority of his 20 goals for the Red Devils this term.
"The position I play for England is the one I like most," he told the Daily Star. "I haven't played there for a while for United.
"It is the manager's choice, although my best position in any team is upfront. As a forward you have to be selfish if you want to score goals.
Selfish
"Yes it's a team game and I love helping the team but maybe I have to be more selfish in where I want to play and what role I need.
"My best position is up front and hopefully that is where I will play."
Rooney also highlighted that he was enjoying his role with the Three Lions where a partnership with Steven Gerrard is beginning to blossom after banishing any defensive duties he has with his club.
"When you are playing out on the left, as I do for United, you have responsibilities," he added. "There is a lot more defending and that takes energy.
"With England I don't have to get back as much and Steven Gerrard and I regularly swap. We're building a good relationship, making and scoring a lot of goals.
"There is more onus on me to go forward with England. They are two different roles and my favourite is definitely down the middle.
"I have no worries about burning out like some players who also started early and I look at Ryan Giggs as my inspiration. He began his United career at 16 and has just won the PFA Player of the Year at 35."
Rooney is looking to add to his 21 goals from 50 England caps in the upcoming games against Kazakhstan and Andorra and admits that he aims to break Bobby Charlton's record of 49 England goals.
"It would be a privilege to become England's top goalscorer and that is my target. There is still a long way to go."
The 23-year-old was used wide on the left-hand-side during the latter stages of the season at Old Trafford, a role he admits he doesn't enjoy.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists that the frontman can be just as dangerous out wide but in recent outings, including the UEFA Champions League final defeat to Barcelona Rooney has cut a forlorn figure on the left flank.
The former Everton striker admits that his best position is where he is currently being deployed for England and where he has scored the majority of his 20 goals for the Red Devils this term.
"The position I play for England is the one I like most," he told the Daily Star. "I haven't played there for a while for United.
"It is the manager's choice, although my best position in any team is upfront. As a forward you have to be selfish if you want to score goals.
Selfish
"Yes it's a team game and I love helping the team but maybe I have to be more selfish in where I want to play and what role I need.
"My best position is up front and hopefully that is where I will play."
Rooney also highlighted that he was enjoying his role with the Three Lions where a partnership with Steven Gerrard is beginning to blossom after banishing any defensive duties he has with his club.
"When you are playing out on the left, as I do for United, you have responsibilities," he added. "There is a lot more defending and that takes energy.
"With England I don't have to get back as much and Steven Gerrard and I regularly swap. We're building a good relationship, making and scoring a lot of goals.
"There is more onus on me to go forward with England. They are two different roles and my favourite is definitely down the middle.
"I have no worries about burning out like some players who also started early and I look at Ryan Giggs as my inspiration. He began his United career at 16 and has just won the PFA Player of the Year at 35."
Rooney is looking to add to his 21 goals from 50 England caps in the upcoming games against Kazakhstan and Andorra and admits that he aims to break Bobby Charlton's record of 49 England goals.
"It would be a privilege to become England's top goalscorer and that is my target. There is still a long way to go."
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5364516,00.html
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