Alex Ferguson has revealed how Wayne Rooney wants to do everything.
The Manchester United striker has badgered his boss all week to let him play in tonightÂ’s Carling Cup clash against Coventry.
Fergie said: “Wayne Rooney’s been in my ear wanting to play.
“He wants to play, he wants to be the captain, he wants to take penalties, corners, free-kicks, goal-kicks, the lot.
“He just loves football and loves training.”
Often at the end of training, Roo takes Edwin van der SarÂ’s gloves and goes in goal as well. And he is always the first face Fergie sees at Carrington.
The United boss added: “Wayne is exceptional. He gets up and is the first in the training ground every morning.
“We like the players to come in for breakfast and he is in at 8.45am. He’s unbelievable.”
In normal circumstances, Fergie would rest Rooney tonight. But the England striker, 21, has played only twice since returning from a metatarsal injury.
Wing wizard Cristiano Ronaldo, 22, is also difficult to keep out of any game — even friendlies.
Ferguson said: “They are both young and want to play all the time.
“They would be quite happy to play all day, every day.
“It is very difficult to stop that enthusiasm.”
Most players look forward to a summer break — but not Rooney.
He said: “I was really looking forward to playing again because this is the longest summer I’ve ever had off. It was six weeks.
“After the first couple of weeks, I got bored and wanted to play again.”
Roo knows there is hot competition for places this season. Carlos Tevez has arrived from West Ham and Louis Saha is fit again.
But the former Everton ace refuses to make way for anyone. He said: “This is a big squad and there are a lot of world-class players here.
“But I want to play every week — the manager knows that.
“Hopefully, I can do that. If I don’t, I obviously won’t be too happy. But it’s the manager’s decision. If Louis plays, it’s for me to drop in. And if Tevez plays, it’s for me to stay up. So I don’t mind who I play with.”
Rooney could finally open his account for the season after suffering his injury on the opening day.
United have struggled for goals with him sidelined and Ronaldo suspended for three games.
Rooney added: “We want to play attacking football and score loads of goals.
“We did that last season and we knew it would be more difficult this time.
“But we have still been getting the results, which is important.”
