Wayne Rooney: This is my best start to a season ever

Posted Saturday, September 17, 2011 by thesun.co.uk

Wayne Rooney: This is my best start to a season ever
STUD-U-LIKE ... Sun man Rob Beasley hands over Wayne Rooney's new boots

RB: Over the years United have seen off the challenges of Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and now it's City's turn. What keeps United on top?

WR: It's no coincidence that the manager has been here for so long.

You see other teams changing managers and, once that happens, they tend to change the backroom staff and they want to bring in their own players.

At United we have the consistency and stability of having the same manager and staff and I'm sure that's a lot better for the players.

RB: So what's your top six this season — and in what order?

WR: I think it will be the most open and exciting title race for years and the top three will be United, Man City and Chelsea.

I definitely think it will be between the three of us.

Liverpool have spent a lot of money and they'll be pushing for the top four at least.

Arsenal have struggled but have now brought in some new players and they're normally very consistent — and Spurs can go well again.

But I'm backing United obviously and after that it doesn't matter who finishes where.RB: Hang on, Manchester City are on fire too. They're definitely coming after you, so are you scared or inspired?

WR: Yes, City have spent a lot of money and signed a lot of great players. I have watched them and they are playing well.

So we know it is going to be a difficult season. But we're not scared. We'll just keep doing what we do best — try and win games and make sure we're in a good position for the last few months of the season and take it on from there.

RB: Has City's emergence as genuine contenders made Manchester the football capital of the world?

WR: No. United have already made Manchester famous all over the world because of the club's amazing record and reputation going back over so many years.

OK, City are in the Champions League and will be challenging for the Premier League this year so there will be more focus on it. But I'm sure football people around the world already know it's a great football town because of United.

RB: If you had to pick just one trophy to win this season would it be the Champions League in Munich with all that Munich means to United, or topping City to win a 20th League title?

WR: What happened in Munich is part of this club's history, the events have shaped the club and as players our respect and sympathy is obviously with the players and families who lost their lives or loved ones.

But the standards that team put down were to win your own domestic league first and I'd always prefer to win the League.

You play 38 games over a long, demanding season and that's always my main focus.

The Champions League is great but for me I would rather win the Premier League.

RB: Are you surprised how well the young United lads have done?

WR: No, not at all. I knew how good they were but I must admit I didn't think the manager would start them all together.

He has certainly shown a lot of faith in them and it has really paid off — they're playing with a lot of confidence and enjoying their football and rightly so.

The key thing now is they have to show that they are good enough to play week in, week out and, right now, they're doing that.

RB: What's the best and worst thing about being Wayne Rooney, football superstar?

WR: I'm a down-to-earth lad who's lucky enough to get a lot of privileges through playing football and to do things that other people maybe can't. A normal day's not that different to most people, though. I go off to work, come home, watch television with my son and my wife. Then I go to bed ready for work the next day.

As for all the attention, behind closed doors everything's fine.

You can live life as privately as you want. It's when you go out for meals or go shopping, especially if it's with my son, that it becomes difficult so most of the time I don't go out, I just stay in.

RB: Tell me about these new NikeT90 Laser IV football boots of yours. Can they make you even more devastating and how much input did you have into their design?

WR: For a footballer your boots are the most important thing and these are brilliant, perfect.

Yes, I had an input into their design and I'm very happy. Nike asked me what I wanted even down to where I wanted the studs on the sole of the boot. They've done a great job, too. The way they're designed really helps the power and accuracy of my shooting and they're nice and light too.

RB: Have you had any names embroidered into them?

WR: They've got my name and number on but that's just for the kitman really so he knows they're my special boots.

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