WAYNE ROONEY wants to raise his game to the same level as Lionel Messi. Manchester United star Rooney faced Messi in May's Champions League final and, while they both scored, it was Barcelona's Argentine master who ran the show in a 3-1 victory.
Now Roo aims to reach a standard where he too can be crowned World Player of the Year and once again bring the Champions League title back to Old Trafford.
He said: "Messi is a great player and rightly World Player of the Year.
"For every footballer out there, not just me, that's the target you want to try to get to and, hopefully, I can.
"I want to do well all the time and know I can always improve.
"I work hard every day to try to achieve that so it'll be great for me and the club if I do."
The Wembley defeat to Barca ended a rollercoaster season for Rooney, who threatened to quit Old Trafford while questioning the club's ambition after a poor start.
He changed his mind, signed a new deal and came good in the second half of the season to finish with 15 goals.
But losing the Champions League final to the Catalan giants for the second time in three seasons left a sour taste in his mouth. Rooney, 25, said: "They have their style of play and we play differently. Not everyone can play their way.
"They were much better than us and deserved the win.
"But it's a long time ago now and we're looking forward to the new season.
"It was still a great achievement by us to get to the final but it's always disappointing when you lose."
United's road to the final and their record 19th league title last season was helped by the partnership Rooney forged with the Little Pea - Javier Hernandez.
Scouser Roo added: "I hope we can improve. Javier's done really well.
"He's played all summer so he needs a bit of a rest.
"It will take some time before he gets back into it but the really good thing is that we have such great competition for the two places up front - or sometimes only one place. We all have to make sure we work really hard."
There is no sentiment for the man on the bench - as Dimitar Berbatov found out.
Asked if he felt sorry for the Bulgarian, Rooney said: "I want to play the games, it's competition and, at the end of the day, it's down to the manager. Berba still has a massive role for us."He was our top scorer last season with 22 goals and scored some important goals."
The link-up with 23-year-old Chicharito saw the England striker drop into a deeper role and get on the ball more.
And he has hit the ground running in pre-season after grabbing a 21-minute hat-trick in the 7-0 thumping of Seattle Sounders on United's US tour.
Rooney played only the second half but his performance was enough to give Seattle coach Sigi Schmid the worst night of his managerial life.
Schmid said: "Every time he got a clean look on goal, the ball was in the back of the net.
"United scored great goals but we embarrassed ourselves.
"Personally, it is my most embarrassing loss. I want to apologise to the fans."
And there will be plenty of other managers fearing Rooney as United go for a 20th title.
Roo added: "The main ones again will be Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City. One will push us as we defend our title.
"Liverpool have made some good signings.
"Under Kenny Dalglish I'm sure they will be trying harder than ever and will think they have a chance of the title."
Rooney aims to make sure it does not leave Old Trafford - and the European Cup joins it.
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