Rooney: Goals Will Come, Winning is More Important

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney insists he is not worried by his lack of goals this season, as long as the club continues to win matches.

The England international scored 35 times last season but has yet to score this season. The striker has missed a number of games though. The 26 year old former Everton youngster was injured in United's 3-2 win against Fulham on 25 August and missed four games, including the trip to Anfield to play Liverpool and the visit of Turkish club Galatasaray. He made his comeback in a Capital One Cup midweek game against Newcastle United.

"As long as we keep winning, I'm not concerned. If it comes, it comes. We've got other players who can score goals for us," Rooney explained after the 3-0 league win over Newcastle. The striker was played in a deeper role for that game, at the tip of a diamond-formation that Sir Alex Ferguson later praised.

Meanwhile, Rooney has also spoken out at his club's tendency to concede early goals - as they did against Spurs and CFR Cluj in the Champions League - insisting it made the forwards' job that much harder. He was therefore delighted that the club managed a clean sheet against Newcastle.

"I was involved in the whole game. I'm not one who won't put the work in and I will do my best for the team. That's all I can do. It was a great result for us," the forward added, "Everyone knows it's one of the hardest games of the season - Newcastle away - but we came here and defended brilliantly, scored three goals and, overall, fully deserved the victory."

Finally, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was full of praise for Rooney's performance against Newcastle, mindful he was asking the forward to play in a role he doesn't normally enjoy.

"He needs the games obviously. With about 20 minutes to go I could see signs he was starting to tire a little but he's put so much work into it. Some of his football was terrific today," the Scot said after the game.