Sir Alex Ferguson has told Wayne Rooney he still has to develop the predatory instinct of some of Manchester Uniteds greatest goalscorers if he is to become the best player in the world.
United manager Ferguson has heaped praise on Rooney this season as the 24-year-old has taken on the mantle left by Cristiano Ronaldo to become the clubs most important player.
But even the 25 goals Rooney has scored so far have not been enough to earn the England striker unreserved adulation, with Ferguson insisting he must learn from Ruud van Nistelrooy, Andy Cole and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer if he is to become the perfect player.
Main man: Ferguson has been heaping praise on his top scorer this season
Ferguson said: ;Where I hope he improves is with his predatory instincts in the penalty box. Hes done great this year. But he has still got to get to the levels of Solskjaer and Cole and Van Nistelrooy. If he got to that level, hed be the best in the world.
;I think a lot about energy and how that should be channelled in the right way, and Wayne should be [playing] through the middle.
;Yes, sometimes he drops in there, its a natural thing at times. I dont have a problem with that but his great energies desire, purpose, courage all the great strikers, Denis Law, John Charles, had that courage to be in there, take the hits and score the goals .
;I know theres more to be developed, and I know he can do that.
Ferguson also reveals how Rooney had to be reminded of his talents to allow him to reach the heights he has scaled this season.
Perfect 10?: Ferguson says there is still room for improvement
;When Rooney first came to us he was the best Ive ever seen at turning round a defender and running at him, said Ferguson in an interview in yesterdays Observer.
;But there was a period, whether it was a transition, or whether he was trying to mentally change what type of player he was, when he stopped doing that. So we spoke to him and said, "Get back to turning on the defender". Its as if he has walked in another door.
Rooney was part of the United team who lost 3-1 at his old club Everton on Saturday. Everton boss David Moyes revealed last week that Rooney had called him to apologise for comments made in his autobiography and Ferguson believes this is a sign of growing maturity.
He added: ;His temperament has improved. Hes not rushing about doing silly things. Hes maturing well in that way and its great to see that. Hes a fantastic boy. Hed give you anything. Hed give you his last penny. Hes that type. Hes generous in everything.
;Hes a one-off in terms of the modern type of fragile player were getting today, cocooned by their agents, mothers and fathers, psychologists, welfare officers.
;Rooney is a cut to the old days. Hes a throwback. I dont think he has any inhibitions about that. He knows what he is.
Ferguson revealed Rooney likes to second-guess him over team selection. He said: ;Hes the best at asking, Whats the team? I say, Youre not playing. He says, Come on, give me your team. I say, No, I wont, Im still thinking about it. Then he says, Ill give you my team. Hes never far wrong. He knows the game.
United"s titanic league and cup battles with neighbours City have grabbed the nations attention this season. But Ferguson warns City that their wealthy owners will never be able to buy a spirit to match that of Old Trafford.
Role model: Ferguson wants Rooney to match van Nistelrooy"s predatory instincts
Ferguson said: ;This is a club with so much wealth they could buy every player in the world, but can they buy a team, can they buy a Manchester United spirit?
;I dont expect City to be bigger than us. I really dont. The problem with all that money is you buy indiscriminately. Sunderland in the 1950s. The Bank of England club. Relegated. I wouldnt wish relegation on City.
He may be determined that nothing gets in the way of Manchester Uniteds bid for a 19th title, but Ferguson admits publicity about the clubs 700million debt has unsettled people at Old Trafford.
Ferguson has never publicly criticised the clubs owners, the Glazer family, and he points to the 10million purchase of Fulham defender Chris Smalling as proof that he continues to be backed in the transfer market.
He said: ;Theyre difficult circumstances when I keep reading things about the debt. And the debt has concerned a lot of people.
David Gill [United chief executive] has had a lot of chats with the staff to reassure them everything is fine. As far as I am concerned, I bought Smalling for big money. So, for me, life goes on.
United fans ;Green and Gold protests, based on the colours of founder club Newton Heath, will be present again when West Ham visit Old Trafford in the Premier League tomorrow .
Ferguson said: ;Im never against protest. But my problem is Ive got owners who have never caused me any bother.
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