Rooney happy to be United’s main man

admin

The United and England captain was often deployed in a midfield role by manager Louis van Gaal last season, but is expected to start the new campaign as the club’s central striker following the departures of Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie during the summer. 

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s International Champions Cup match with Barcelona, Rooney, who scored just 12 Premier League goals last season, insists he was happy to take the weight of goalscoring expectation on his shoulders.

“The main striker is a position I think I can score goals from. I’m ready to take that mantle on and try to be the one to score the goals for us,” the 29-year-old said. 

“I have no personal targets. I am working on getting fit and ready for the start of the season. I have never been one to set personal targets. I just want to help the team.”

Although there have been no new additions to the United forward line this summer, Van Gaal has bolstered his squad with the signings of midfielders Memphis Depay, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin and defender Matteo Darmian. 

Rooney admits he is doing all he can to help the new recruits settle in, but insists the onus is on them to demonstrate their worth to United. 

“I’ve been trying to help the new players settle in. But the ones we’ve brought in are experienced and successful and I’m sure they’ll bring a lot to the team,” he added. 

“I can try to help them learn about the history of the club and what’s expected. But it’s up to them to prove themselves.”