Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has admitted that he is not the player he was, but said that his game has become more clever.
The striker turned playmaker was issued both United’s and England’s captains armband earlier this season, but has come under heavy criticism for his club side after a stuttering start to the season, securing just five points from five games.
And, the former Everton man has discussed how his game has changed.
“I’m not the player I was,” Rooney said.
“But I feel I have progressed my game. I agree with the people who say my game has changed.
“I did too much running when I was younger and then didn’t have the energy to get myself into goal-scoring positions in the box.
“I’m a cleverer [sic] player now and know when to run into the box and when not to, and as a result more chances have come my way and I’ve scored a lot more goals for the club.
“But I am happy to play out wide. I can do a job there and I can do a job up front. It depends on the situation of each game and what the manager wants me to do.
“I don’t think anyone can put a finger on my best position, but I am adaptable. I can go into midfield, drop out wide or play up-front. It just depends on where the manager wants me to play.”