Source: SKY_Sports
Rooney wanted Ronaldo stay
Wayne Rooney has admitted that he hoped Cristiano Ronaldo could have been persuaded to stay at Manchester United.
The Portuguese winger rose to global superstardom during his days at Old Trafford, taking the coveted World Player of the Year award in 2008.
However, he was lured away from the Red Devils by big-spending Real Madrid over the summer and is now illuminating the Spanish top flight.
His absence has been undoubtedly felt at United, with their most potent attacking weapon gone, but his former team-mates have fared admirably without him.
Sir Alex Ferguson's men top the Premier League table and boast a 100 per cent record in the UEFA Champions League, but talismanic frontman Rooney accepts things could have been even better were Ronaldo still around.
"I don't consider I was ever in Ronaldo's shadow but, no, I'm not happy he left the club and I don't think any of us are," Rooney said in The Sun.
"I'd prefer him to still be in the team if I'm being honest.
"He's a brilliant player, irreplaceable, the best player in the world - so no-one's happy he left."
With Ronaldo's considerable goal threat taken away, pressure has mounted on Rooney to provide a destructive cutting edge.
TempoHe is thriving under the added responsibility, but admits that Ferguson has always looked to him to improve his tally year-on-year.
"The manager said he wanted me to score more goals - but then he tells me that every season," added the England international.
"As the season goes on, if I am not scoring enough, he'll tell me I need to improve.
"And if I am scoring goals, he'll still tell me I need to improve. That's just how he is."
Rooney is also happy to take the role of United ringleader on the field, with his energetic performances helping to set an example to others.
"If I think someone can improve in a game, I'll tell them, just as I expect they'll tell me if they think I'm not doing what I should or playing as well as I should," he said
"I think a bigger part of my game is trying to set an example by raising the tempo of the team.
"If things are a bit flat at Old Trafford, I'll chase about and try and get the crowd up a bit. Little things like that can make a massive difference."
