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Rooney reveals frustration with Utd role

Wayne Rooney was on the scoresheet against Brazil © Getty Images

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Wayne Rooney has admitted he is not comfortable playing in the deep lying role he was deployed in by Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United last season, insisting he still sees himself as a centre-forward.

Rumours have persisted that Rooney was frustrated by the playmaker role he was being asked to fulfil at United after being ousted from his role as the club's leading marksman following the arrival of Robin van Persie last summer.

Now the 27-year-old has confirmed he does not enjoy playing in the reserved attacking position, as he told Four Four Two magazine that his passion for scoring goals means he is eager to play up front whether he stays at United or seals a big move this summer.

When asked whether he relished the role Ferguson asked him to play in for large portions of the last campaign, Rooney was unequivocal in his answer.

"No. In the years to come that might be somewhere I could play, but right now, I'm definitely a centre-forward. I'm after more goals," he responded.

"When you play as a target man, you have to stay up front and help the team out by holding the ball up and waiting for support. That all comes with experience. It's a good role for me to play and hopefully I can continue doing well there."

One of the first tasks on the agenda for Manchester United manager David Moyes will be resolving Rooney's future after Ferguson claimed the England forward had asked to leave the club.

French big-spenders Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly keen to sign Rooney, while Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger expressed interest this week.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.