United I stand: I won't follow Ronaldo out of Manchester, says Rooney

13 November 2009 10:37
In Qatar you have to think big and you have to get your head around the idea that they have so much money anything is possible.[LNB]Take the people who are bidding for the 2022 World Cup. Most of the games would take place here in Doha but they have identified a spot for a shiny new stadium that, right now, is just desert. No problem, say the bid team. They would build a new city as well, just so the new stadium has a home.[LNB]With that in mind yesterday, it seemed appropriate to tackle all the big issues with the biggest name in English football. How did Wayne Rooney respond to those stories linking him with a move to Spain? Did he regret screaming '12 men' to the television cameras after Sunday's encounter between Manchester United and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge? How did he feel about playing Brazil?[LNB]And had he yet changed a nappy for new son Kai?[LNB] All white on the night: Rooney in action for England=[LNB]Before he could think of a more diplomatic response and so avoid the inevitable backlash from mums, as well as mums with newspaper columns, he said: 'No.' And then the chap from the Football Association said: 'Oh no, you've opened a can of worms here.'[LNB]So he blamed wife Coleen. 'I'm working on it,' he said with more than a hint of desperation. 'No, sorry, to be fair I've wanted to do it. But she's been there and done it. I'm really proud and that.'[LNB]Not so proud, he said, that he would be imitating a certain Brazilian superstar if he scores against the South Americans tomorrow night. Bebeto introduced the newbornbaby goal celebration to football during the 1994 World Cup but Rooney is far too much of a man's man to perform what has become something of a sporting cliche.[LNB]'It looks a bit cheesy to me,' he said. 'So if I score I'll just do what I normally do. Just run off and celebrate the goal.'[LNB]Rooney really doesn't see what all the fuss is about, or why people were even surprised that he wanted to play so soon after his baby arrived last week. Kai was born on the Monday and on the Tuesday he went to see Sir Alex Ferguson to tell him that he would be available for selection for United's Champions League game with CSKA Moscow that evening. 'I asked him if I could play and he put me on the bench,' said Rooney.[LNB]Not that Rooney is complaining. 'I feel good,' he said. 'I'm playing for one of the biggest teams in the world, I'm here preparing to play for England against Brazil and I have just become a father. Things couldn't get much better.'[LNB] Centre of attention: Rooney and a fan pose in Doha[LNB]Which is why, he then insisted, he had no desire to play his football anywhere other than Old Trafford. Barcelona? Real Madrid? Rooney said he is not interested, not least because where he plays his football now is only half an hour from his home and his family.[LNB]'It's nice to be noticed,' he said. 'But I'm really happy at United and, unless they tell me otherwise, I can't see myself leaving. I've got two years left after this year on my contract so I'm sure we'll be negotiating a new deal in the next few months. But I love the place. It's 30 minutes from home and all my family and I've got a great chance of winning more trophies.'[LNB]His only ambition is to become another United legend. [LNB]'I was an Everton fan as a kid but I loved watching United play,' he said. 'Back to the days in 94-95 when Cantona was just brilliant and so fearsome even to someone just watching at home on TV. He had something about him and I can only imagine playing against him. The way they played and attacked, the way they played right to the end. I remember them scoring so many last-minute goals, which showed their desire to want to keep going.'[LNB] Gallic flair: Cantona nets against Porto in the 4-0 first leg win over Porto in 1997's Champions League quarter-final[LNB]Rooney is built with the same DNA as well as having, in the words of Jermain Defoe, 'the lungs of three men'.[LNB]But even now, at 24, he still admits that his temper sometimes gets the better of him. As it did on Sunday when he suggested referee Martin Atkinson was on Chelsea's side.[LNB]The FA issued him with a warning about his future conduct and yesterday he admitted he was in the wrong. [LNB]'Looking back I probably shouldn't have said it,' he said. 'But I was disappointed at the end of the game and I felt we'd deserved more out of it.[LNB]'Your emotions are running high and I felt we didn't get the decisions. But that's the way it goes. There have been games when we have got the decisions we shouldn't have.'[LNB]The respect he is articulating to referees and former United players is then extended to the men he will meet tomorrow. [LNB]Rooney is the closest thing England have to a Brazilian; a player who would fit right in were it suddenly possible for Dunga to select him alongside Kaka and Robinho.[LNB]'I don't look much like a Brazilian,' he said. 'But playing against them is something I've wanted to do since I was a kid. [LNB]'They've had so many great players. Romario, Ronaldo. I think Ronaldo was one of the best, if not the best, forward ever. When he was at Barcelona, the things he did were incredible. I remember that time when he went clean through, did four stepovers and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way that was one of the best goals I've seen.[LNB]'In more recent years we've seen Ronaldinho and Kaka, who have both been world player of the year. They're unbelievable at times.[LNB]'I'm happy when people say I play like a Brazilian because I love the way Brazilians play, but there are other players who are a lot more skilful than me in the England team. Joe Cole, for example. I never really work on skills. If it happens in a game, it just happens. I don't really try to be skilful.'[LNB] Leading the way: Rooney in training for England[LNB]Because it's natural. Because there seems to be some Brazilian blood in there, too. [LNB]But Rooney says he can only be compared to the very best when he, too, has lifted the World Cup. [LNB]'There's still a lot I need to win before I can catch up with those players,' he said modestly. 'If you want to be known and remembered in world football as a great, you need to be a World Cup winner.'[LNB]Nappies or no nappies.[LNB] RONALDO SPECIAL: Who is my toughest opponent? It has to be AshleyRooney would walk into Brazil team, says England midfielder LampardRooney warns England must improve or forget about winning the World CupMANCHESTER UNITED FC

Source: Daily_Mail