Once it became apparent that Manchester United were going to sign the prolific Robin Van Persie from Arsenal, the question that popped into everyone's mind was: How would the English Premier League's two best strikers co-exist in the same team?
There was never really any doubt about the fact that Van Persie was going to be deployed in the center forward's role -- Sir Alex Ferguson had made that clear from day one. So the question was, would Ferguson rotate Rooney and Van Persie, or ideally play Rooney just behind Van Persie in a creative role?
While initial games suggested, Ferguson might be forced to play one or the other, which in turn made the rumor mongers say the English international striker would be made available for transfer in the next transfer window, Rooney's month-long injury came as a blessing in disguise.
That allowed Van Persie to bed in to the team, and also gave Ferguson some time to think on the best course of action. Out came the diamond formation, with Rooney the one on the top, pulling all the strings. It worked wonderfully well in the League Cup game against Newcastle, but the real test was at Cluj in the Champions League, where both the superstars started the game.
To relieve any doubts, Rooney was the chief orchestrator, providing Van Persie with both the goals in a 2-1 victory. Against Newcastle Sunday, while neither players scored, Rooney was again in his elements, controlling things in midfield, although the striker's new found success in a deeper position, has put Shinji Kagawa a bit in the periphery, but that will be something that Ferguson will worry about at a later time.
Right now, it is all about Rooney playing in his new role, complementing Van Persie to form the most lethal partnership in the Premier League. Now the new question on everybody's mind, is will Rooney be deployed in the same role for England in their World Cup qualifiers?
One thing is for sure, the Manchester United man is more than willing, despite the new role being more physically demanding than a central striker's position. "It is physically demanding," Rooney told reporters. "You are involved in the game and it is obviously demanding, getting up and down.
"I enjoy it, if the manager wants me to play there on Friday I will be happy to do so.
"Obviously playing up front you get more opportunities to score goals but as a footballer you want to play football. You are involved and you're on the ball, so I enjoy it."
Rooney said he was feeling fitter than ever, adding the injury had in fact helped him get back to his peak fitness. "When I came back in preseason I wasn't out of shape," Rooney said. "I was probably not as fit as I could have been, whether that's because I didn't have the time to get the training in I don't know.
"I got injured since but I have worked hard. To be honest it probably helped me to get fit getting injured. I feel good, I feel fit, I feel ready to go and play."
