The Wayne Rooney phenomenon - Just how does United's red-hot striker do it?

02 February 2010 01:12
Wayne Rooney is in the form of his life. The explosive Manchester United and England striker has scored 20 Barclays Premier League goals already (the first Englishman since Andrew Johnson in 2004-05).[LNB] How does he play with such power,  pace and beauty? CHRIS WHEELER reveals the secrets of his star quality.[LNB]Tireless: Rooney's fitness is a hallmark[LNB]LUNGBUSTERRooney's tireless work-rate and a willingness to chase almost every ball have become a hallmark of his play. [LNB]Sir Alex Ferguson admits the player has phenomenal stamina. Ferguson said: 'He's always had great natural stamina, he's blessed in that respect. Rooney could play as a boxto- box midfielder.' [LNB]Rooney uses so much energy in a game that if converted into electricity it would light an average house for 90 minutes.[LNB]TUMMY TUCKEverton used to get calls from members of the public saying Rooney had been spotted in McDonald's, and his mother - a school dinner lady - used to feed him sausage, chips and beans. [LNB]But times have changed and Wayne's diet is kept in check by staff who monitor his body fat. [LNB]After he has trained and had a swim, Rooney usually eats a salad with chicken and can have as much dessert as he wants because staff know that the players will burn it off very quickly.[LNB]FIRM FOOTINGRooney is built to take the hits but his feet proved to be a weak point in the early part of his career - three injuries in as many years, to be precise. [LNB]It appears the star's dodgy feet are a thing of the past. Rooney has not been troubled in that area since fracturing his left foot in August 2007 against Reading, when he was out for six weeks.[LNB] Super sharp shooter: Rooney now has 100 Premier League goals and counting[LNB]HEAD FOR SUCCESSRooney admits he has matured from a boy into a man at Old Trafford, and becoming a father for the first time has certainly helped as well. There have been no more of the indiscretions that clouded his early career and led to fears that he could go off the rails. [LNB]Although his intelligence on the football pitch has never been in doubt, Rooney missed out on his GCSEs as he rose through the ranks at Everton as a schoolboy and has the words 'Just Enough Education to Perform' - the name of an album by his favourite group The Stereophonics - tattooed on his right forearm.[LNB]HEART FOUNDATIONSome players are blessed with natural skill, others make up for it with sheer effort. Rooney has both. [LNB]Ferguson believes the most important quality behind Rooney's success this season has been courage.[LNB] 'We feel he's best as high up the pitch as possible because he has got the strength, energy and courage to run in between players, run beyond players, to hold players off,' said Ferguson. [LNB]'All the greatest strikers have needed courage. That's the one great component of their game they must have. He has got that courage to play against modern-day defenders.'[LNB]Heads up: Rooney is now noticeably more mature[LNB]SHOOTING BOOTSThe striker's sponsorship deal with Nike means he has access to some of the best football boots around and he unveiled the Total-90 Laser III in Manchester last week. [LNB]Nike claim the new design, costing £130 and featuring an updated 'shot shield', offers increased power and accuracy. [LNB]Liverpool's Fernando Torres also wears them, and Nike even make a lightweight model for speedy wingers. [LNB]Rooney, a size nine, modelled the vivid red and green pair in Manchester United's 3-1 win at Arsenal and they seemed to do the trick as he grabbed his 100th Premier League goal in 247 matches.[LNB]THIGHS OF THUNDERThe power generated by Rooney's muscular thighs enabled him to run the length of the field at an average speed of 14mph to meet Nani's pass and score United's second goal during Sunday's 3-1 triumph at Arsenal. The fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt, runs 100m at an average of about 23mph.[LNB] Like former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo and current colleague Darren Fletcher, Rooney is benefiting from the gym work he puts in with United's strength and conditioning coach Mike Clegg, who devises individual weight programmes for the players. [LNB]Rooney will focus on squats, lunges and power snatches with weights to improve the strength and speed in his lower body, similar to the methods used by top sprinters - such as the Jamaican world-record holder - who have disproved the notion that big muscles can slow you down.[LNB] On target: Rooney celebrates his recent winner against Manchester City[LNB]A GAME LADRooney has already played 35 matches for Manchester United and England this season. His 2009-10 season could potentially have run to 60 matches by the time he arrives in South Africa for the World Cup. [LNB]Premier League matches to play ............14 [LNB]Carling Cup final ...........................................1 [LNB]Champions League ties (if United reach final) ........ 7 [LNB]England friendlies ....................................... 3 [LNB]TOTAL - 25 matches [LNB]That's 37.5 hours of football (not including any extra-time) over 112 days! [LNB]ROONEY'S LEAGUE SEASON SO FAR [LNB]Appearances ......................................... 23 [LNB]Mins on pitch .....................................1,978 [LNB]Goals ....................................................... 20 [LNB]Mins per goal .....................................98.9 [LNB]Shots ....................................................... 96 [LNB]Shooting accuracy ............................46% [LNB]Chance conversion .............................21% [LNB] Wayne's world exposed: Court battle will reveal how, at just 24, Manchester United star Rooney's earning power has made him a £35m fortuneManchester United's latest Rio Ferdinand ban appeal risks defender's Carling Cup final chanceHow Wayne Rooney will scoop the jackpot if he stays at UnitedMANCHESTER UNITED FC

Source: Daily_Mail