Rooney: I Won’t Change The Way I Play

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Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has hit back at recent criticism and has insisted he will not change his style of play.

The England international’s conduct came under scrutiny yet again on Boxing Day after he appeared to elbow Stoke City’s Abdoulaye Faye, an incident which was missed by match referee Chris Foy.

However, speaking to the News of the World, Rooney insisted he saw nothing wrong with his competitive nature and claimed he would not curb his aggression on the pitch.

“I am competitive. I am a player with lots of energy and aggression and I am never going to stop putting in tackles,” he said.

“That’s who I am. I can’t change that, I don’t want to and I don’t think the managers I play for do either.”

The former Everton man also insisted that his willingness to make tackles was a huge boost to both his team and their fans.

He explained, “I think my team-mates and United’s supporters appreciate that side of my game. Sometimes it gives them a lift to see me flying into tackles and trying to win the ball.

“To be honest I don’t need to count to 10 because I always feel in control of myself.”

Friday’s incident at Stoke comes in the wake of another incident in the Champions League when Rooney was alleged to have stamped on Aalborg defender Kasper Risgard.

However, the United man escaped any disciplinary action for that event, a decision which he clearly feels is correct.

“I know some people were looking to blame me for the incident against Aalborg,” he admitted.

“All I can say is that it was right that UEFA didn’t take any action against me. I wasn’t being aggressive. I didn’t mean to stamp on the fella and it was right that no punishment was handed down.”

“I don’t think there is a problem with my temperament. I do get stuck in during matches but I like to think that I keep calm both on the pitch and off it.”

Gill Clark, Goal.com