Key men Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez have left the Barclays Premier League champions since the end of the season.
Already, it has been suggested that Rooney must step up and fulfil his potential this season if United are to maintain their lofty standards of recent campaigns.
And the England striker feels more than ready to meet that obligation.
"We've lost two key players and obviously I hope we can get a few players in," Rooney told The Times.
"Between them Cristiano and Carlos scored a lot of goals for us last season and the season before, but I would like to think I'm capable of filling that gap.
"I've said before that, if I can play in my right position, I'm capable of doing that."
Rooney has often been asked to operate out wide by manager Sir Alex Ferguson since joining from Everton.
The Liverpudlian is adamant that has prevented him from showing his best form on a consistent basis, and believes the time is right to make a permanent switch to the centre.
"I want to play in the position where I feel I'm best," he said.
"A lot of people think I'm best as a centre forward.
"To play in a Champions League final and to play week in, week out for Manchester United is a privilege and it's something I'm very lucky to be doing, but I don't think playing on the wing I can express myself as much as I like to."
What do you think? Have your say.
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gillykins, urmston (29/06/2009 at 08:56)
unitedeverywhere (29/06/2009 at 08:57)
I feel we need to get two goalscorers. maybe torres and Eto'o
nas99, Stretford (29/06/2009 at 09:00)
He really does need to step up to the plate this season. Last season he did miss alot of sitters and thats one of the reasons why Fergie started putting him on the wing as his energy was creating so much for Tevez and Berbatov.
Lets hope 'The Liverpudlian' can show some goal scoring potential that has not materialised the last few seasons.
Mick Red, London (29/06/2009 at 09:07)
THE WHITE PELE he definately is
Nollaig Mc Guinness (29/06/2009 at 09:13)
Lee , Heywood, Heywood (29/06/2009 at 09:53)
The Man frae Govan (29/06/2009 at 10:08)
erm....don't want to spoil your theory but Scholes always WAS a Striker....it was Fergie trying him in a new position of central midfield to GREAT EFFECT!!
boyfromburrenway, exile czech republic (29/06/2009 at 10:15)
possebon on loan..and possibly nani as a swap for velosso or mountiho then i think as ferguson has also mentioned in previous seasons that new signings bring a new energy and purpose to the squad.... id keep rooney central defiantely ...wingers need to be on the wings... but again this article touches on one of uniteds biggest pre season questions in my opinion...how to get the players we have now rooney,berba , anderson + whoever coems in playing in a formation and in positions where they are suited to......
david allen (29/06/2009 at 10:16)
Red Culture,
26/06/2009 at 18:41
Are you on medication!
manc abroad, OT (29/06/2009 at 10:17)
Its Waynes World !!, south africa (29/06/2009 at 10:47)
tooth&claw, manchester (29/06/2009 at 10:49)
Red Culture (29/06/2009 at 10:55)
We are going to the Van Nisterooy era with this Rooney argument. Besides Rooney always score in spats. He is not consistent and those gaps when he doesn't score will be crucial, they will make the difference between winning the league or losing it. Rooney has never been a prolific goal scorer I doubt he can shake a majic wand and voila we have a lethal Wayne Rooney ala Torres.
Mancinitaly, Calabria (29/06/2009 at 10:59)
GC Northstand (29/06/2009 at 11:15)
He needs to be more selfish and think of himself more, don't worry about the goals he will core bucket loads next season.
BELIEVE
Joe Whittaker (29/06/2009 at 11:25)
UNITED WE STAND Lets av it!!!
UNITED IS LIFE=BLACKLEY M9
RedHeart (29/06/2009 at 11:37)
Lord Ruud (29/06/2009 at 11:48)
Rooney despite what people think is not as self-confident as he appears. When all is going well, he can be devastating as his confidence is high and he plays on instinct which is how he plays well. Ronaldo, in contrast had incredible self-confidence and even when he wasn't playing well (Villa and Spurs at home this season for example) - he still popped up with goals and kept shooting as he had belief in his ability. Rooney needs to try and develop this sense of confidence if he can, at the moment he tends to score in bunches when his confidence is high, but can then go through a lot of games where he starts to snatch at chances and seems to be questioning himself.
If Rooney is to play central he will need to score more goals and start finishing better - playing more on instinct perhaps but if he is to line up in a trio with Berbatov and someone else, he can continuing chipping in with the odd goals and doing a bit of providing. It all depends how Fergie sees him and the team now Ronaldo has gone, but hopefully he'll get the best out of Rooney as he needs to produce a bit more to be considered one of the best players in Europe.
Lee , Heywood, Heywood (29/06/2009 at 11:53)
Mancinitaly, Calabria
This maybe true mate but whats your point ? If Ronaldo had said he wanted to be our new Rooney. Thats exactly what I would have said he needed to do. Would that have sounded harsh ? Even after he scored 42 goals in a season ? No. For Ronaldo to do Rooneys job he would have had to do more work for the "team". Like a 40 yard sprint into the box isnt work for the team btw. What we need is a runner getting beyond the forwards and into the box. We also need a regular scorer not someone who has always scored there 14-20 goals in 3 patches of 6 games per season. We also need someone to regularly score the first goal and the winning goal and also be an aerial threat. That is what we are losing in Ronaldo. Primadona or not. Does it sound like Wayne Rooney to you ? Me neither. I suggest Rooney concentrates on making SLIGHT adjustments and improvements to his game and continues to be Wayne Rooney. SAF will know who we need to replace Ronaldo. Rooney has different qaulities.
KazHoshay, New York City (29/06/2009 at 13:13)
bobbydazzler (29/06/2009 at 13:38)
Alias Smith, over the moon (29/06/2009 at 14:07)
As for Rooney stepping up, well it is in his own hands. Fergie has not held him back, simply used him in the most effective way from a team perspective. Scoring goals for England against the minnows of international football is no evidence that a more permanent central role for United will lead to more goals. Wayne has the ability and the temperment to be one of the very best players in the world. I think he will achieve that at United - BUT he needs to be more prolific, as does Berbatov.
paul leigh (29/06/2009 at 14:09)
Duncan, London (29/06/2009 at 14:34)
True. Often forgotten when moaning about him not tracking back. Rooney might not have to look that far for someone who has achieved much through hard work and a good attitude. Fletcher should give him enough pointers about what can be achieved through hard work. So long as he doesn't watch Berbatov!
Mushhhty (29/06/2009 at 14:45)