Football
9y

Wayne Rooney says returning to striker role has helped his recent form

Wayne Rooney says his switch to a central striking role in the Manchester United side has been crucial to an upsurge in performances and results for Louis van Gaal's side.

Rooney spent long periods of this season performing in a midfield role that he insisted he was happy to play, but the United skipper has always favoured a central scoring position and he has enjoyed resuming that role in the last month.

The England skipper has scored five times in his last seven United appearances and he appears to be convinced that he is more effective playing in a lead striker's role.

"I'm delighted to be playing up front and scoring goals. It's helping us win football matches," Rooney said.

"When you play as a centre-forward you want to score goals, so I'm pleased I'm doing that. I spoke with the manager and he thought it was better for the team for me to play in midfield. So that's what I did. I played there.

"I'm sure, in other games, he might put me back in midfield, but I'm delighted to be playing up front and scoring.

"Midfield is a role I know I can play, but as a centre-forward your job is to try to score goals. Thankfully, I've gone back up front and I'm doing that."

Rooney is closing in on Sir Bobby Charlton's long-established records as United and England's leading scorer, with the United striker three behind the English icon in the national team scoring charts ahead of games against Lithuania and Italy in the coming days.

The prospect of becoming England's all-time record scorer clearly excites Rooney, but he was keen to play down the prospect of the record-breaking moment as he spoke to reporters.

"Obviously I am close. It will be a fantastic moment for myself, a proud moment if I can do that," he said when quizzed on the England scoring milestone.

"Hopefully one day it will happen and sooner rather than later, I have to keep concentrating on what has got me to this position and try to do my best for the team and hopefully I can get goals along the way.

"I speak to Sir Bobbby quite regularly at the club especially after games, but I don't want to bring it up with him and say; 'I'm close to beating it.' He always gives me great advice and I have great chats with him."

Rooney will get his chance to edge closer to Charlton's international scoring benchmark that has stood for the last 45 years when he leads England into battle against Lithuania in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Friday.

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