Wayne Rooney insists he is ready to shoulder the burden of being England and Manchester United's main man in the biggest season of his life.
Wayne Rooney insists he is ready to shoulder the burden of being England and Manchester United's main man in the biggest season of his life.
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Rooney spent much of last season playing second fiddle to Cristiano Ronaldo at United and was often dispatched out to the left-wing by Sir Alex Ferguson to allow his team-mate the freedom to run riot up front.
But Ronaldo's departure to Real Madrid has given Rooney the opportunity to return to his favoured central striking role.
Any doubts that Rooney was up to the task of leading United's attack have been erased as he scored five times in the champions' first five matches.
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| Wayne Rooney |
But carrying United isn't the only weight on the 23-year-old's shoulders.
England host Slovenia in a friendly at Wembley on Saturday ahead of Wednesday's crucial World Cup qualifier against Croatia and Rooney will expected to use both matches to underline why coach Fabio Capello has built his team around the former Everton star.
Victory over the Croatians would secure England's place at next year's finals and start the countdown to another attempt to end the country's long wait to win the tournament for the first time since 1966.
If Rooney feels any pressure at the thought of being England's figurehead in South Africa, he didn't betray it.
"With Cristiano and Carlos (Tevez) leaving it is a big challenge at United to retain the league and personally I've stated I want to score more goals," Rooney said.
"Then there's the World Cup at the end of the year so I think it's definitely going to be my biggest year.
"I've said before that I started playing when I was 16. Since then there's been expectations and pressure. I've no problem with that. I see it as a challenge.
"I'm playing the best football I've played for England over the last year. I'm really enjoying myself with United and hopefully United and England will benefit from that."
While it has taken Ronaldo's sale to persuade Ferguson to return Rooney to the fulcrum of his attack, Capello decided he could trust the fiery forward from the moment he took charge.
For several seasons, Rooney appeared to have lost enthusiasm for international football as England laboured under Sven Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren.
A long goal drought in competitive England matches emphasised Rooney's malaise, but Capello has reinvigorated the United star's passion for his country.
"He's probably the first England manager I've played under where you know there is a chance you will be dropped if you don't play well," Rooney said.
"From his presence when he first arrived, it was clear for everyone to see he is strong, passionate and wants to win.
"He explains clearly what he wants you to do and how he wants us to play. In training you get filmed and then watch the videos later to see any mistakes.
"He keeps all the players on their toes. It has definitely helped me."
Now Rooney is back at the centre of the action for club and country, he would love to settle an old score against Croatia, who stopped England qualifying for Euro 2008 with a win at Wembley two years ago.
"If we can turn it round at Wembley, just two years later and beat them to qualify for the World Cup, it would be a very sweet moment for us," said Rooney.
Capello will use the Slovenia match to assess whether Robert Green or Ben Foster should start in goal against Croatia.
The Italian will also have to decide if Emile Heskey or in-form Jermain Defoe should partner Rooney, but may rest defender John Terry to avoid aggravating a slight knock that kept his captain out of training earlier this week.
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