Source: Daily_Mail
Fergie: Rooney needs predator's instincts to become best in the world
Sir Alex Ferguson has told Wayne Rooney he still has to develop the predatory instinct of some of Manchester United's greatest goalscorers if he is to become the best player in the world.[LNB]United manager Ferguson has heaped praise on Rooney this season as the 24-year-old has taken on the mantle left by Cristiano Ronaldo to become the club's most important player.[LNB]But even the 25 goals Rooney has scored so far have not been enough to earn the England striker unreserved adulation, with Ferguson insisting he must learn from Ruud van Nistelrooy, Andy Cole and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer if he is to become the perfect player.[LNB] Main man: Ferguson has been heaping praise on his top scorer this season[LNB] Ferguson said: 'Where I hope he improves is with his predatory instincts in the penalty box. He's done great this year. But he has still got to get to the levels of Solskjaer and Cole and Van Nistelrooy. If he got to that level, he'd be the best in the world.[LNB]'I think a lot about energy and how that should be channelled in the right way, and Wayne should be [playing] through the middle.[LNB]'Yes, sometimes he drops in there, it's a natural thing at times. I don't have a problem with that but his great energies desire, purpose, courage all the great strikers, Denis Law, John Charles, had that courage to be in there, take the hits and score the goals .[LNB]'I know there's more to be developed, and I know he can do that.'[LNB]Ferguson also reveals how Rooney had to be reminded of his talents to allow him to reach the heights he has scaled this season.[LNB]Perfect 10?: Ferguson says there is still room for improvement[LNB] 'When Rooney first came to us he was the best I've ever seen at turning round a defender and running at him,' said Ferguson in an interview in yesterday's Observer.[LNB]'But there was a period, whether it was a transition, or whether he was trying to mentally change what type of player he was, when he stopped doing that. So we spoke to him and said, 'Get back to turning on the defender'. It's as if he has walked in another door.'[LNB]Rooney was part of the United team who lost 3-1 at his old club Everton on Saturday. Everton boss David Moyes revealed last week that Rooney had called him to apologise for comments made in his autobiography and Ferguson believes this is a sign of growing maturity. [LNB]He added: 'His temperament has improved. He's not rushing about doing silly things. He's maturing well in that way and it's great to see that. He's a fantastic boy. He'd give you anything. He'd give you his last penny. He's that type. He's generous in everything.[LNB]'He's a one-off in terms of the modern type of fragile player we're getting today, cocooned by their agents, mothers and fathers, psychologists, welfare officers.[LNB]'Rooney is a cut to the old days. He's a throwback. I don't think he has any inhibitions about that. He knows what he is.'[LNB]Ferguson revealed Rooney likes to second-guess him over team selection. He said: 'He's the best at asking, 'What's the team?' I say, 'You're not playing'. He says, 'Come on, give me your team'. I say, 'No, I won't, I'm still thinking about it'. Then he says, 'I'll give you my team'. He's never far wrong. He knows the game.' [LNB]United's titanic league and cup battles with neighbours City have grabbed the nation's attention this season. But Ferguson warns City that their wealthy owners will never be able to buy a spirit to match that of Old Trafford.[LNB] Role model: Ferguson wants Rooney to match van Nistelrooy's predatory instincts[LNB] Ferguson said: 'This is a club with so much wealth they could buy every player in the world, but can they buy a team, can they buy a Manchester United spirit?[LNB]'I don't expect City to be bigger than us. I really don't. The problem with all that money is you buy indiscriminately. Sunderland in the 1950s. The Bank of England club. Relegated. I wouldn't wish relegation on City.' [LNB]He may be determined that nothing gets in the way of Manchester United's bid for a 19th title, but Ferguson admits publicity about the club's £700million debt has unsettled people at Old Trafford.[LNB]Ferguson has never publicly criticised the club's owners, the Glazer family, and he points to the £10million purchase of Fulham defender Chris Smalling as proof that he continues to be backed in the transfer market.[LNB]He said: 'They're difficult circumstances when I keep reading things about the debt. And the debt has concerned a lot of people.[LNB]David Gill [United chief executive] has had a lot of chats with the staff to reassure them everything is fine. As far as I am concerned, I bought Smalling for big money. So, for me, life goes on.'[LNB]United fans' 'Green and Gold' protests, based on the colours of founder club Newton Heath, will be present again when West Ham visit Old Trafford in the Premier League tomorrow .[LNB]Ferguson said: 'I'm never against protest. But my problem is I've got owners who have never caused me any bother. '[LNB] MANCHESTER UNITED
