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Wayne Rooney Targets Collective Not Personal Glory At Manchester United
Individual plaudits are not the point for 'Wazza'.
Mar 1, 2010 5:21:00 PM
By Zack Wilson
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney insists that it is winning team trophies that interest him, not collecting personal glory and praise.
The 24-year-old's fine recent form continued in Sunday's League Cup final when he netted the winner after coming on as a first-half substitute for Michael Owen.
That was his 28th goal of the season but he maintains that he is not targeting Cristiano Ronaldo's total of 42 from two seasons ago.
"Cristiano got 42 but I am just looking to contribute to us winning medals," said Rooney, according to Press Association Sport.
"If that happens (scoring 42 goals) it would be great, but as long as we win medals it would be even better."
The striker did pick up a slight knee injury, leading to some speculation that he could end being burnt out by the demands of being the star performer for club and country.
Rooney claims that he can handle the pressure after making his Premier League debut as a 16-year-old for Everton.
"I don't feel any pressure or burden really," he added.
"To be honest I have probably had pressure since I was 16 so it is something you get used to and deal with in your own way."
And the star admits that he did find it a little frustrating to be named merely as a substitute by Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of kick-off.
"I was chomping at the bit to get on," he said.
"You want to play in finals. Thankfully I have managed to do so and left my mark on the game.
"I knew on Wednesday or Thursday I wouldn't be playing. I had a little bit of a stomach bug and the manager was looking for an excuse to leave me out.
"When he found out about that it made his mind up.
"I was still disappointed but it was the correct decision by the manager."
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The 24-year-old's fine recent form continued in Sunday's League Cup final when he netted the winner after coming on as a first-half substitute for Michael Owen.
That was his 28th goal of the season but he maintains that he is not targeting Cristiano Ronaldo's total of 42 from two seasons ago.
"Cristiano got 42 but I am just looking to contribute to us winning medals," said Rooney, according to Press Association Sport.
"If that happens (scoring 42 goals) it would be great, but as long as we win medals it would be even better."
The striker did pick up a slight knee injury, leading to some speculation that he could end being burnt out by the demands of being the star performer for club and country.
Rooney claims that he can handle the pressure after making his Premier League debut as a 16-year-old for Everton.
"I don't feel any pressure or burden really," he added.
"To be honest I have probably had pressure since I was 16 so it is something you get used to and deal with in your own way."
And the star admits that he did find it a little frustrating to be named merely as a substitute by Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of kick-off.
"I was chomping at the bit to get on," he said.
"You want to play in finals. Thankfully I have managed to do so and left my mark on the game.
"I knew on Wednesday or Thursday I wouldn't be playing. I had a little bit of a stomach bug and the manager was looking for an excuse to leave me out.
"When he found out about that it made his mind up.
"I was still disappointed but it was the correct decision by the manager."
Become a fan of Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page for all the latest news and insight into everything the related to the beautiful game
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