Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney believes he can fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez if he is played in his favored central role and supported by new attacking talent.
Man United will receive £80 million from Ronaldo’s transfer to Real Madrid but nothing for Tevez, who has been linked with a move to crosstown rival Manchester City after rejecting a permanent contract.
Ecuador winger Luis Antonio Valencia is set to join the Red Devils from Wigan, and Rooney is hoping more players will be signed.
“We’ve lost two key players and obviously I hope we can get a few players in,” Rooney said in Monday’s edition of British newspaper The Times. “Between them, Cristiano and Carlos scored a lot of goals for us last season and the season before, but I would like to think I’m capable of filling that gap.
“I’ve said before that, if I can play in my right position, I’m capable of doing that.”
Rooney has often been asked to play out wide by manager Alex Ferguson since joining from Everton in 2004, preventing him from consistently showing his best form.
“I want to play in the position where I feel I’m best,” Rooney said. “A lot of people think I’m best as a center forward. To play in a Champions League final and to play week in, week out for Manchester United is a privilege and it’s something I’m very lucky to be doing, but I don’t think playing on the wing I can express myself as much as I like to.”
Rooney helped United win a third straight Premier League title last season, but is “still gutted” about losing the Champions League final to Barcelona.
As well as going one better in Europe next season, Rooney hopes to win the World Cup with England.
“Next season could be the season that transforms me from someone who could be a great player into someone who is a great player,” Rooney said. “That’s what I’m hoping. It’s a massive season for the club and for me personally, with the prize at the end of it being the World Cup. It’s a season which I want to grab with both hands.”
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