Rooney vows to fill in for Ronaldo and Tevez
July 20th, 2009 - 2:49 pm ICT by IANS
London, July 20 (IANS) England striker Wayne Rooney has vowed to fill the gaps at Manchester United left by the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.
The 23-year-old Rooney is now looking to play the role of the central striker and forging a deadly combination with Manchester United’s new signings Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov.
“With Cristiano going, it leaves a huge hole when it comes to goals and that is why it’s important myself, Berba and Michael chip in a bit. We all need to score more goals, especially me and Berba, than we did last year,” Rooney was quoted as saying by The Sun.
He was also happy with the arrival of his England team mate Owen and is backing the former Newcastle United striker to prove his doubters wrong.
“I’ve played with Michael for England many times. He has looked sharp in training and is working hard. I think the move will give him a new lease of life,” Rooney added.
Ronaldo’s departure will see Rooney getting back his favourite role as an orthodox striker, rather than out wide. Rooney has struggled to suppress his dislike at being shunted out wide by United manager Alex Ferguson, but he has always remained committed to play wherever selected.
Ronaldo was United’s lone striker last season in big games and with Tevez hit 101 goals between them during the past two seasons.
Rooney fired 20 goals last term and Berbatov 14. Owen netted just 10 at Newcastle and his debut strike in a 3-2 win against Malaysia XI, Saturday, was his first since Jan 10.
- Rooney says he will fill up for Ronaldo and Tevez - Jul 20, 2009
- Berbatov set 30-goal target, assured of long-term Man U future - Jan 29, 2011
- Rooney to benefit from Ronaldo's exit - Jun 13, 2009
- Man U wants Berbatov to fill void left by Rooney - Apr 01, 2010
- Manchester United face life after Ronaldo - Aug 11, 2009
- Berbatov wants to finish footie career with Man U - Dec 07, 2010
- Rooney give me 10 goals and Berbatov 30, demands Ferguson - Feb 02, 2011
- Capello backs Rooney to fire in England's Denmark friendly - Feb 09, 2011
- Ferguson says won't be surprised if Berbatov quits Man U - Sep 19, 2010
- Giggs backs Berbatov to win 'Golden Boot' battle against Tevez in Manchester derby - Feb 12, 2011
- Constant training ground spat keeping Berbatov on toes: Evra - Dec 28, 2010
- Get used to the bench, Man U management tells Owen - Sep 15, 2009
- Rooney a cracking lad and player: Michael Owen - Feb 23, 2010
- Berbatov aims to create 'beautiful art' on football pitch - Aug 20, 2010
- Capello counts Rooney among world's top three footballers - Feb 25, 2010
Tags: alex ferguson, big games, cristiano ronaldo, deadly combination, dimitar berbatov, dislike, england team, gaps, manager alex ferguson, manchester united, michael owen, new lease, new signings, newcastle united, ronaldo, striker, team mate, tevez, two seasons, wayne rooney
