Source: Daily_Mail
Wayne's world: Leading role is Rooney's goal for club and country
Ping pong king: Wayne Rooney relaxes after training with a game of table tennis[LNB] As far as footballing burdens of responsibility go, the pair currently resting upon Wayne Rooney's shoulders are sizeable.[LNB] First, he has inherited the task of filling the void left byCristiano Ronaldo, arguably the world's best player, at ManchesterUnited, arguably the world's biggest club.[LNB] Then he is expected to score the goals which fire England, creatorsof the game, one-time champions of the world and perennialunderachievers, towards next year's World Cup finals in South Africa.[LNB] Welcome to Wayne's world. He is quick to label this season as thebiggest of his career, but that does not faze him in the slightest.Hype and expectation have been no strangers to Rooney since he burstinto the Everton team at 16.[LNB] 'There has been expectation, pressure, and I have no problem withthat, I see it as a challenge,' said Rooney with a shrug, as heprepared for tomorrow's international friendly against Slovenia atWembley.[LNB] In-form Rooney relishes England's Wembley return clash with CroatiaManchester mayhem as United and City are given green light to play at home on the same nightWayne Rooney: Yeah, I dive - but only on holiday[LNB] England can clinch their place in South Africa against Croatia onWednesday. Then the countdown will intensify, with United strikerRooney destined to be cast in the role of the team's main man.[LNB][LNB] 'I hope I can be,' said the 23-year-old, who has scored five for his club already this season. 'I'm really enjoying myself with United. Hopefully that will continue, and both club and county will benefit. I don't think I've ever played better for England.[LNB] 'With Cristiano and Carlos Tevez leaving United, we see it as a big challenge to retain the Premier League and, personally, I want more goals. I should be scoring more. Then there's the World Cup as well. It's definitely going to be the biggest year for me.'[LNB] National service: Wayne Rooney talks to the media during a press conference at the Grove Hotel[LNB] The prospect of South Africa next summer evokes memories of the 2006 World Cup finals, when Rooney scrambled back from a broken metatarsal in time to join Sven Goran Eriksson's squad in Germany.[LNB] He was far from match-fit when he returned, however, and completed a miserable tournament with a red card in the quarter-final against Portugal as England went out on penalties.[LNB] The failure to qualify for Euro 2008 means Rooney's only other experience of a major finals was as a teenager at Euro 2004. That, too, ended prematurely when he broke a metatarsal.[LNB] [LNB]On his toes: Rooney fears he will be dropped by Fabio if he doesn't deliver[LNB] 'The tournaments have ended not just with England going out but with real disappointment for myself,' he said. 'Hopefully, if we get there, I can have a big impact and influence results positively.'[LNB] After a goal drought in competitive internationals which stretched beyond three years, Rooney has exploded into life under Fabio Capello, scoring 10 in seven games last season.[LNB] He now boasts a very respectable ratio of 24 goals in his 53 England games and credits the Italian manager as the key influence.[LNB] 'He's definitely helped me more than any other England manager,' said Rooney. 'He's probably the first England manager I've played under when you know if you don't play well there's a chance you're not going to start the next game. He keeps us on our toes.'[LNB] Like Sir Alex Ferguson at United, Capello realised he had to curb Rooney's playground instinct to chase the ball back into his own half and train him to operate in more dangerous areas of the pitch.[LNB] 'I agreed with that,' said Rooney. 'Not only for England but United as well. There was a stage when I was playing too deep.[LNB] 'Sir Alex and Fabio have both tried to get me further up the pitch. I was shouted at a few times for going and getting the ball from the centre halves, so I've tried to cut that out. But I love getting on the ball. Some players just want to stay up and score goals. I want to score goals and be involved in the game as well.'[LNB] The Capello factor extends beyond Rooney, as maximum points from seven World Cup qualifiers suggests. 'He's a fearsome man, strong, passionate and wants to win,' said Rooney. 'When he first arrived, his presence was clear for everyone to see. 'He explains what he wants you to do, how he wants us to play, the team shape. He explains about the other teams and where the threat comes from. He's definitely the best manager for England.' [LNB] In-form Rooney relishes England's Wembley return clash with CroatiaManchester mayhem as United and City are given green light to play at home on the same nightWayne Rooney: Yeah, I dive - but only on holiday[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People:Sven Goran Eriksson, Cristiano Ronaldo, Alex Ferguson, Carlos Tevez, Wayne RooneyPlaces:Croatia, South Africa, United Kingdom, Slovenia, Germany, Portugal
