Wayne Rooney has accused his critics of judging him too soon, though the Manchester United captain admits he was disappointing in last Friday’s victory at Aston Villa.
Rooney’s display against Tottenham Hotspur on the opening day of the season was also questioned yet the 29-year-old believes only his performance against Villa was below par. He has failed to score in his past nine competitive matches for United – including Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Club Brugge in the Champions League play-offs – in a run that stretches back to 4 April last season. But when asked about his form he made it clear he believes the criticism is exaggerated.
“I’ve had one bad game this season and everyone’s all over it,” said Rooney. “I know I’ve had that all throughout my career but hopefully at the weekend I can get off the mark.”
Louis van Gaal is fielding Rooney as the central striker, and the manager and player believe he can score 25 goals-plus from that position. Does Rooney remain confident of this? “Yeah, of course. I’m an honest guy, I know when I haven’t played well and against Aston Villa I was below my standards and I know that. Fortunately I had a much better game [against Club Brugge], I could have got a goal or two but that’s football.”
Rooney admitted his touch at Villa was substandard. “I lost the ball too easily and I’m aware of that,” he said. “It’s not a game I’ll want to look back on but obviously you have games like that.
“It’s early on in the season. Everyone will write about the end of last season and the beginning of this season [not scoring] but we’re three games into the new season, so it’s down to me to keep going. I’ve experienced this before and the goals will come, I know that, and hopefully that day will come on Saturday against Newcastle.
“I had a couple of half-chances [against Brugge], with the header in the first half, and a couple which I was reaching for, especially early on with the cross off Adnan [Januzaj]. But I think I just have to keep putting myself in the right positions and hopefully one will come.”
Rooney denied feeling the pressure of being the focus of United’s attack. “No. I always set myself standards and I try to reach them. My mind’s clear. I know how to play the role. It’s just a case of getting the chances and taking them, which I’m hopeful I’m going to do soon,” he said, before pointing to the goals from Memphis Depay and Marouane Fellaini that defeated Brugge.
“I understand it’s on me to get the goals but Memphis has chipped in with two goals, Felly when he has come on with a goal, and we all have to chip in, but I understand I need to be the one who leads that line for us and try to get the goals for us.”
Rooney was replaced by Fellaini late on. John Terry, the Chelsea captain, was substituted at half-time by José Mourinho in last Sunday’s 3-0 loss at Manchester City. While Terry was not happy about his rare withdrawal, Rooney stated he had no issue with being taken off. “No, of course not. You want to play the games, obviously,” he said. “But Felly gives us a different style if you like, in terms of getting the ball in the box earlier and try and push that goal, late doors, which has obviously paid off for us.”
Rooney has a good record against Saturday’s visitors to Old Trafford, Newcastle. “I did against Aston Villa as well,” he joked. “No, I obviously enjoy playing against Newcastle so hopefully on Saturday I can get off the mark and open my scoring for the season.”
source:theguardian.com
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 