Wayne Rooney believes he will become a better player in
the presence of Dimitar Berbatov - but he says the strength of
United's attack means he is not guaranteed a place in the
side.
The 22-year-old striker hopes his new £30million team-mate will
bring continuity to his role up front, where he says playing
alongside a player of Berbatov's experience will help him
improve.
"The mere fact he is at Old Trafford should take me onto a
different level," he says. "I am not guaranteed my place in the
side anymore."
While Rooney shares some characteristics with Carlos Tevez,
Berbatov has style different to anything else United have got,
which is why Rooney feels he will be suited to playing alongside
the Bulgarian.
"More than anything I like playing just off a front man," said
Rooney, currently on international duty with England. "It's
probably because I get on the ball more. I don't like to be out of
the game too long.
"Some centre-forwards can stay up front, not touch the ball and
just look to score goals. I don't really enjoy doing that. I like
to be involved in the game. Mainly at United I have been used in
different roles but maybe the fact Dimitar has arrived will bring
some continuity to my game."
Rooney admits he likes the pressure of needing to perform to secure
his place in the side, citing United's recent clash with Bolton, in
which he came off the bench to score his first goal of the season.
"I like to play under pressure," he said. "The other week when the
manager left me out against Bolton, I was disappointed. I just
wanted to get on the pitch as quickly as I could and show him what
I could do. I like to prove people wrong if I can."