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Wayne Rooney studied Man Utd and Real Madrid stars ahead of new role
WAYNE ROONEY has revealed he watched Manchester United legend Paul Scholes in training and studied the likes of Real Madrid icons Xabi Alonso and Toni Kroos to help him settle into his new midfield role.
Wayne Rooney left Manchester United for Everton last summer
After bursting onto the scene as a fearsome, explosive young striker, Rooney has begun to morph himself into an industrious, creative midfielder as he enters the latter stages of his career.
Despite the odd appearance up-front, Rooney had found himself frequently operating in a deeper role for United and England - and most recently Everton.
Since he joined Everton last summer, the 32-year-old has firmly established himself as a midfielder, either playing in the No 10 role or being deployed in a three-man midfield.
Speaking to former England teammate Jamie Carragher, Rooney admitted that he expected to play in a deeper position in the latter stages of his career and believes that he’s perhaps more suited to that role than his previous one as a forward.
Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes (right) played alongside together at Manchester United
“I always knew at the back end of my career I would drop back into midfield,” he said in the Telegraph.
“I started watching Paul Scholes closely in training. Analysed (Real Madrid’s) Xabi Alonso and Toni Kroos.
“They are players who control a tempo of a game. I knew I could go into that role and I believed in my own ability to do it.
“Playing deeper suits me. I can get on the ball a bit more and have lads around me with more legs."
Wayne Rooney (second left) goes into a challenge with Xabi Alonso
Wayne Rooney runs away from Toni Kroos during an England vs Germany clash
Former Manchester United star Rooney has had a bright start to his return to Goodison Park, scoring 10 goals in 20 league games so far this season, more than he managed for United in the previous two seasons.
He is expected to line up for Everton against Crystal Palace on Saturday (3pm).
The Toffees are seeking an instant reply to their 5-1 loss to Arsenal last weekend.