Sir Alex: This is Rooney's year
Wayne Rooney has been tipped to have a "great season" next year after his first uninterrupted pre-season with the Reds since joining in 2004.
Rooney finished up as United's joint-top goalscorer last term, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo with 23 goals. It followed a run of 11 goals in 16 games in the final three months of a campaign which began with some questioning his form.
But, according to Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson, the 21-year-old striker will benefit immeasurably from the freshness of having a rare close-season rest and full preparatory work ahead of the new campaign.
"He just loves football and loves training and he will be a big player next year, believe me," Sir Alex told The Sun.
"He will have a great season, because he's had a proper pre-season for the first time with us. He will be fine. Nothing bothers Wayne. He is incredible, a very strong character."
Rooney's insatiable hunger for football has left a lasting impression on the United boss, who describes the forward's appetite for training as "unbelievable".
"He's exceptional. He gets up and is the first in the training ground every morning," adds the boss. "We like the players to come in for breakfast and he is in at 8.45am, the first there. Unbelievable."
