Man. United Manager, Moyes sets Wayne Rooney a target of scoring 30 goals this season

• Posted on September 16, 2013September 16, 2013
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

The Manchester United manager insists that the England international can form a partnership with Robin van Persie and says that he will not play the 27-year-old in midfield

Manchester United manager David Moyes has set Wayne Rooney a target of scoring 30 goals this season.

Following a pre-season which was disrupted by injury and transfer speculation, the 27-year-old forward netted his first strike of the campaign with a curling free kick against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Rooney scored 16 times in all competitions for United last season and Moyes believes that the England international is capable of building an understanding with Robin van Persie.

“I will try to do that [get Rooney to 30 goals],” Moyes told reporters.

“I think Wayne’s aim will be to do that as well. Hopefully we can make that happen.

“The hope is that we get a partnership where folk are saying, ‘My goodness we are having to play against Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney’.

“Everybody is looking to see if those two form a partnership that can score lots of goals. I have to say I have also got Chicharito and Danny Welbeck. Danny has made a great start to the season.”

Rooney’s reduced tally last term was partly down to being played in midfield on occasions, a move which Moyes is reluctant to replicate this year.

“I can only see Wayne playing up top and playing as a forward for us,” said the Scot.

“He has scored a lot of goals. It was down last year. But to be successful you need to have people who can score you 20 goals.

“I am hoping with Robin and Wayne you have two there who you would say they have it in them to do that. It was also good for us that Robin scored. A good start.”

GOAL