Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson wants his star
forward Wayne Rooney to be more consistent in front of goal this
year, even though the 23-year-old England international has come
out firing this season with six goals in as many games.
Fergie would like to see Rooney put up numbers with the consistency
that his former United team-mate Ruud van Nistelrooy did. The
Dutchman scored 150 in 219 appearance during his five seasons at
Old Trafford, averaging one goal in every 1.46 games. Rooney's
average currently stands at around a goal in every 2.36
games.
“There is no difference between this season and last in terms of
desire or anything with Wayne; he is always wanting to score
goals,” Ferguson said. “You get this with players who are
developing, but he just needs consistency.
“He goes in bunches of sixes and sevens and then goes quiet for
a few weeks. Ruud once went nine games in a row and scored just one
goal in each game. If we can get that kind of consistency from
Wayne, it will make a difference to him and us.
"He has started well with his scoring, but we need a couple of
players to get us more than 20 goals. Our goal ratio last season
was very poor.”
Ferguson is relying upon Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen to
help United's No 10 with the scoring burden as the Red Devils
adjust to life without Cristiano Ronaldo. Owen was brought in to
function as the third striker behind Rooney and Berbatov, but
Ferguson insists the former Liverpool striker will see plenty of
action.
“Owen has not been involved and I explained that to him,”
Ferguson said. “Owen doesn’t come into the equation because we are
trying to get a blend of Berbatov and Rooney, but he will play
plenty of games.