Could Wayne Rooney be peaking at the right time of the season? (Getty photo)Known as much for his on-pitch brilliance and off-pitch controversies, Wayne Rooney is never far away from the headlines.In conjunction with the launch of this weekend's Tiger Street Football 2011, a street football competition in Asia, Yahoo! SEA catches up with the Manchester United striker to get his thoughts on the final stretch of the campaign.
Y!: Man United are seven points clear with six games to go. Surely, your title to lose now?
WR: We are in a strong position but the team won't be taking anything for granted. We'll take every game as it comes and won't be thinking past the next game. In football, you never know what will happen and the Manager will keep us all grounded and fighting till the end. Arsenal are having a great season and are great competitors and Chelsea are coming back. They're a real threat. I wouldn't count Manchester City out either.
Y!: You've got Chelsea and Arsenal in the league in a month's time. Huge massive games coming up. Tell us about the mood in the Red Devils' camp right now.
WR: The team is confident and ready but is taking nothing for granted. There is excitement around the camp, with big games coming thick and fast, but it's just about winning the next game.
Y!: If Man United were to win their 19th championship title this year and surpass Liverpool's 18, and bearing in mind your Everton connections, how would you celebrate?
WR: It would be a great achievement. It is something the Manager said he wanted to do when he joined the Club and I would be so proud to be a part of that. The fans deserve it. I'd celebrate it with the fans, the team and the Manager for as long as we can, but we can't get ahead of ourselves yet. We need to concentrate on winning the next game.
Rooney's overhead stunner against Man City is surely a contender for goal of the season. (Getty photo)
Y!: You started the season poorly but managed to turn it around, especially with that stunning overhead kick against Man City. What was the key to your revival in form?
WR: I don't necessarily agree with that opinion. I've played well and I've worked hard for the team. Unfortunately the goals haven't flowed as regularly as last season but that can happen. Since the turn of the year I've started 16 games and I've scored 11 goals.
Y!: World Cup 2014: You will be at your prime then. How important is winning the World Cup for your career?
WR: To win the World Cup would be the pinnacle of any player's career. To play in one was a dream as a kid, but to win one would stay with you, the fans and the country for ever. I'll do everything I can to win one in my career with my country but it's a very difficult thing to do. If I don't I am lucky to have played for my country in the World Cup so that's a dream come true.
Y!: Do you see yourself captaining England on a regular basis one day? With players like Jack Wilshere, Andy Carroll, Adam Johnson and Joe Hart, the future looks bright, doesn't it?
WR: Every player would love to captain their country and I've been lucky enough to do that. I would love to take that honor again in the future and when the time is right. England is fortunate that they have so many leaders within the team and John Terry is a great England captain. The young players coming through should make it an exciting few years ahead for the national team and I hope to be a part of it.
Y!: Who is the biggest prankster in the Man United dressing room? Have you ever tried to pull a fast one on Sir Alex?
WR: Fletch plays a lot of jokes but to be honest I'm normally with him. It's part of a football dressing room and all the boys take part at some stage. Playing a joke on Sir Alex may be a step too far though!, although I'm sure he'd take it well. I think I did do one but I can't remember what it was.
Y!: The last time Man United came to Malaysia and played against the national team, the stadium was packed with Red Devils fans who wore Man United jerseys. Does it ever feel surreal when the people of another country show greater support for a club thousands of kilometres away than for their own national team?
WR: I loved playing for the fans in Malaysia. Their support makes you feel at home and it gives you confidence to play. Football is a global game and the Premier League is so popular all over the world. When you play for Manchester United you know you are playing for fans all over the world.
Y!: Some of your team-mates have been to Singapore on previous tours. Would you like to visit?
WR: I'd love to visit Singapore and to play there would no doubt be an incredible experience. The fans in Asia have always been passionate and right behind the team. Hopefully, at some point, I'll get the opportunity to come over with Manchester United to play for the fans.
Rooney believes Tiger Street Football will be exciting to watch. (Photo from Asia Pacific Breweries)
Y!: What's so different between Tiger Street Football as compared to other football games? How would footballers benefit from it?
WR: Tiger Street Football is an all-action game that will bring fans of football together from all over the world. The oval-shaped pitch and nonstop game will make for an exciting tournament the fans will love. Players' will need to be ready to go from the start, and it will help with fitness, sharpness and ball control. Most of all, Tiger Street Football is a fun way to play football with your friends.
Y!: How did street football help u early in your childhood years?
WR: Street football was very important to me. I used to run from school to play football on the streets with my brothers and friends. It helped me learn new skills, to be competitive and to stay active in my younger years before I joined the Academy at Everton. Although it didn't stop there!
Tiger Street Football is a street football competition launched across five countries in Asia -- Singapore, Thailand, China, Vietnam and Malaysia. Over 180 teams will be taking part with the champion from each country qualifying for the Grand Finals in Kuala Lumpur later this year. The competition kicks off in Singapore this weekend at Ngee Ann City.
