UNITED ACE HUNGRY FOR GLORY
Wayne Rooney goes into the new season knowing that comparisons with footballing greats of the past will become valid only if he wins the biggest prizes.The Manchester United striker was hailed as England's answer to Pele by Sir Bobby Charlton when he overcame injury to go to the World Cup this summer, while Sir Alex Ferguson has described him as the most talented player to emerge from the British Isles since George Best.
Rooney is both honoured and humbled to be placed in such hallowed company.
But while the 20-year-old Scouser's rise has been meteoric, it is medals rather than accolades that drive this genius - and he is aware that he must add to the solitary League Cup medal he won last season if he is to stand shoulder to shoulder with the giants of the game.
"I want to win everything - the Premiership, the Champions League and, yes, also the World Cup," said Rooney in an exclusive interview with Sunday Mirror Sport.
"It might not happen, but that's what my aim is. That's the reason why I'm in football".
"When the day comes for me to stop playing I want to be remembered as a winner. I want people to look back on my career and be impressed by the number of medals and trophies I have won.
"That's how I want to be remembered - as a player who won all the major trophies. It was unbelievable to hear the manager comparing me to George Best and Sir Bobby saying I can be like Pele.
"When our manager says something then you listen, while Sir Bobby was one of the game's true greats.
"It gives me a lot of confidence when people like that recognise my talents, but the only thing I am thinking about at the moment is to get even better and to become as good a player as possible.
"Hopefully, in 20 years' time, people will remember me the way we now remember the great players of the past.
"To do that I need to win things - the big competitions. That was why I joined Manchester United. Winning the Carling Cup last season was fantastic. It was great to win my first ever medal.
"But the medals that really matter at United are the Premiership and the Champions League. That's how it is at a club this size and hopefully we can achieve those things in the next few years."
"That's how I want to be remembered - as a player who won all the major trophies. It was unbelievable to hear the manager comparing me to George Best and Sir Bobby saying I can be like Pele.
"When our manager says something then you listen, while Sir Bobby was one of the game's true greats.
"It gives me a lot of confidence when people like that recognise my talents, but the only thing I am thinking about at the moment is to get even better and to become as good a player as possible.
"Hopefully, in 20 years' time, people will remember me the way we now remember the great players of the past.
"To do that I need to win things - the big competitions. That was why I joined Manchester United. Winning the Carling Cup last season was fantastic. It was great to win my first ever medal.
"But the medals that really matter at United are the Premiership and the Champions League. That's how it is at a club this size and hopefully we can achieve those things in the next few years."
posted by Miguel La Rosa at 4:16 PM
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