Wayne Rooney has set himself a goal target for the new season as he prepares to resume his favoured role as Manchester United’s lead striker.
United skipper Rooney was deployed by manager Louis van Gaal as a midfielder for a lengthy spell last season, yet the Dutch tactician has suggested he is planning to use the England forward in a central striking role in the upcoming campaign.
That should give Rooney an opportunity to edge closer to United’s all-time scoring record, with the 29-year-old excited about the prospects for his team ahead of the new campaign.
“I’m sure it’s where I will play and it’s obviously on me to score goals,” Rooney told reporters, as he was asked about taking on the pressures of leading the United line following the exits of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao this summer.
“It’s where the manager and myself see my best position. Hopefully I can get a good run of games and repay the manager and score goals for the team.
“I hope to score 20 or more goals again. If I’m playing as a striker, then I will be disappointed if I can’t do that again. I’ve played different roles over the years for United but you only have to look when I play for England as a striker I score goals.
“I have no doubts in myself. I’m ready to take on that mantle again and be the one who gets the goals for this team.
“My best position — and I’ve always said it — is as a striker, getting into the box, and the two seasons I’ve really done that as a lone striker are my two best goal scoring seasons. Hopefully, if I play up there again this season, then I can get the goals.”
While former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson stated Rooney was not happy when he asked him to play in a more reserved role in his team, the England captain believes the revamped United squad featuring summer signings Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin will not need his services in a midfield berth.
“Listen, if the manager wants me to do different jobs, then I’ll do it,” he added. “It was the same last season. I don’t think I’ve sacrificed myself much over the years. Football is a team game and you win and lose together.
“Over the years, I’ve been successful and won a lot of trophies with United. I think there are times when you have to do things for the good of the team and I feel I’ve done that.
“But with the quality we’ve bought into the squad and the numbers we have brought in, the manager has options in midfield, so there shouldn’t be a need to go and play there.
“I’m excited about the season. It’s a big season for us. We have the quality to make sure we get back into the Champions League.”
Rooney needs another 19 goals to equal United scoring record that was set by Sir Bobby Charlton during his iconic career with the Old Trafford club between 1956 and 1973.
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