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Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has challenged his team-mates to raise their game and prove that they are as good as Barcelona, when the two teams take on each other in a pre-season friendly match in San Jose on Saturday. Both clubs endured contrasting fortunes last season as the Red Devils went through a second successive trophyless campaign, while Luis Enrique’s side picked up an emphatic treble.
Rooney believes that the International Champions Cup fixture between the two teams will be beneficial for United, as the match will show them how they compare with their Catalan counterparts before the beginning of the new season. While speaking in a press conference, the England international striker seemed excited to be able to take on the La Liga giants.
"Over the last few years they have been probably the best team in Europe and it is down to us to prove we are as good as them,” he said, according to ESPN.
“It is good that tomorrow [Saturday] we will be playing against them and it will show us where we are at."
Rooney ready to take on the mantle of goalscorer at United
Rooney also talked up his ability as the main striker in the team, after manager Louis van Gaal sold Van Persie to Fenerbahce and opted out of the Falcao deal. Despite spending a small part of the previous season in midfield, the Englishman was United’s top goal scorer with 12 goals in 33 appearances. He is ready to lead the line this season and wants to become the club’s top goalscorer, as reported by ESPN.
"I am ready to take that mantle on and be the one who gets the goals for us,” he added.
It is a position where I think I can score goals."
Rooney ‘excited’ by new signings
He also seemed genuinely excited by United’s four new signings, and insisted that he will help them to settle in at Old Trafford whilst also urging them to make their mark quickly.
"It is obviously important to help the new players settle in but the ones we have brought in are experienced and successful," he said, as reported by ESPN.
"I am sure they will add a lot to the team. I can try and help them learn about the history of the club and what is expected at this club and how to be successful but it is down to the players to prove themselves and create their own history."
Rooney then went on to praise Schweinsteiger, who will miss the Barcelona game with a minor injury. He feels that United’s younger players can only benefit from the experienced German, and said: "He is obviously a fantastic player.”
“Everyone knows that and since he has joined up with the squad he has been a fantastic person, talking with the young players which is a great help to them, having someone of that experience and who is that successful. He is a great addition to the team and I feel he will be a very good signing for us."
