Rooney always plays a five-a-side at the Carrington
training ground with the same vigour as a Champions League
final.
But the Manchester United star fears that attitude to
his job is actually wearing him out.
And with a Treble to be won for United this season,
plus the World Cup coming up in the summer, that is something he
cannot afford.
Rooney said: "I am enjoying my football, playing well
and managing myself better. That's paying off.
"I am not doing every training session where, normally,
I would train as hard as I can.
"It's not due to my knee. But I have played a lot of
games this year and it is about reining myself in in training.
"I am getting a bit older and wiser now and it is
probably the best thing to do."
United boss Alex Ferguson voiced his concern last
weekend that Rooney was doing too much.
The striker had played an hour of the Carling Cup
final, despite having a knee problem, and then insisted on playing
almost a full game for England against Egypt at Wembley three days
later.
It led to Ferguson resting him last weekend for the
game against Wolves, so he could be right for AC Milan on Wednesday
But Rooney added: "I am proud to play for my country and I want to
play for it unless I really can't."
His hot streak continued as he scored twice in a 4-0
thumping of the Italians.
That made it four in the tie for him, after he hit two
in the San Siro in the 3-2 first leg win.
It was a result that puts United into the Champions
League quarter-finals and gives them the confidence and belief that
they can go on and win the trophy again.
Rooney declared: "I think this result is going to send
a great message out about us. It was a great performance from us
again.
"Against a team like Milan, to win so convincingly is a
great result.
"A win like this gives you so much confidence -
especially the game in Milan, where we went behind but came back to
win 3-2.
"We have been in good form anyway over the last couple
of months, yet this result and the one in Milan have given us that
extra belief we can win the tournament this year.
"We are building up a nice head of steam and looking
forward to the draw next week."
One team who will not be in the hat is Real Madrid,
after they went out to Lyon at the same time United were stuffing
Milan.
It means there is no dream final for Cristiano Ronaldo
at Madrid's Bernabeu home.
Rooney said: "Real Madrid have gone out, which has got
rid of one hurdle.
"You know if you got to the final and faced them in
their own stadium, it would always be difficult."
Rooney now has 30 goals for the season, with his
manager believing he can match Ronaldo's 42 of two seasons ago.
On-song Roo insisted: "Hopefully, I can win trophies
and, if I get 42 goals as well, I will be delighted.
"This is my best season yet. I am scoring a lot and I
am enjoying my football."
While Rooney has emerged as the latest hero and
talisman for the club, a former hero bowed out of Old Trafford on
Wednesday night.
David Beckham appeared as a second-half substitute for
Milan with the game already up and got a tremendous ovation, seven
years after leaving United for Real Madrid.
Rooney said: "David has been a great servant to this
club and all the United players were delighted he got a great
reception.
"I hope I can become as well respected and thought of
here as David Beckham.
"I have plenty of years ahead of me and, if I get half
of the plaudits that he has been getting, then I will be
delighted."