I didn’t want to play in midfield role – Rooney

Wayne Rooney has said that the reason he questioned his future at Manchester United at the end of last season was because he was being played out of position by former boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

"I got told to play in midfield and I didn't want to," he said.

"Everyone at the club knew where I wanted to play and I think that's why I was disappointed," he said.

Rooney has been at the club since the summer of 2004 and has arguably been Manchester United's best attacking weapon in that time. However, since the arrival of Robin van Persie over a year ago, Rooney was often played out of position or dropped to the bench altogether.

"I actually felt when I played in midfield I did OK, but I didn't want to play there. I've had no problem in the past playing out of position. But I felt I deserved the right to play in my position and that wasn't happening.

"I think, naturally, I was a bit disappointed and maybe that affected some of the games I played. I know myself that last year wasn't my best season but there were times when I was playing in different positions."

"I didn't feel I got a consistent run of games up front. Sometimes when you're not playing in one position all the time it's difficult to adapt."

"I just think there had to come a point when, for my own career, I had to be a bit selfish really."

Rooney has started the season brightly scoring five goals so far and the striker credits David Moyes, the manager who handed him his professional debut whilst the two were at Everton, for playing him in a more attacking role.

"David Moyes has come in, he's playing me up front and I'm enjoying it," added Rooney. "I'm not saying I wouldn't [go into midfield] for instance if it was the last 10 to 15 minutes of a game, if we were holding on a bit and I got asked to drop to the left, or drop back, to help see out the game.

"I'd always go in and try to help the team. I'm not saying I'd throw my ar up and not do it. I can play in midfield. Maybe when I'm a bit older, losing my legs a bit, I can go back there."