WAYNE ROONEY IS confident he will be ready for the start of the new season with Manchester United.
The 26-year-old made his first pre-season appearance in the Red Devils’ goalless draw against Valerenga at the weekend and is looking to build up his match sharpness before the club open their Premier League campaign against Everton on 20 August.
Speaking to reporters ahead of their pre-season clash against Barcelona, Rooney revealed: “I feel good. I played two games at Euro 2012, I’ve since played against Valerenga.
“Everybody needs games to get up to match fitness — not just me. I’m training well, though, and I’m looking forward to the next few games. Hopefully by the start of the season I’ll be ready to play. I’m happy with how I’m doing. I’ve been training for almost two weeks and I’ve been working hard. Everything’s going well so far.”
Rooney also admitted he has been impressed with new signing Shinji Kagawa. The Japan international moved from Dortmund at the beginning of the transfer window and has featured heavily in the club’s pre-season tours, notching his first goal against Shanghai Shenhua.
“Shinji’s settled quite quickly. He’s a talented player, he likes to get on the ball and keep it simple. He’s very effective on the ball,” Rooney added. ”It’s great to have that sort of player in the team. I’m looking forward to playing with him and I think he’ll create a lot of chances for myself and the other forwards. It’s exciting to have him in the team.”
Olympic 100m champion Usain Bolt recently revealed he would like the chance to play for the Premier League giants but Rooney believes the sprinter would be better suited sticking with his current sport.
“He’d obviously add a bit of speed to the team,” he said. ”But they are different sports. I think he’s best staying on the track.”
