Ferdinand backs Rooney to sparkle

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The 22-year-old was forced to take a supporting role last season as the Portuguese winger's 42 goals made him very much the leading man at Old Trafford.

Ferdinand told The People: "I know the manager (Sir Alex Ferguson) wants to see Wayne playing in his more accustomed position, just off the front. Maybe that will happen if we sign a striker and then you'll see how dangerous he can be."

Ferguson has already admitted this summer that Rooney's development has been hampered by the need to play him out of position at times since his big-money move from Everton in 2004.

However Ferdinand, United's captain last season in the absence of Gary Neville, believes the Liverpudlian's contribution to the team has been under-rated.

"We've got to wait to see what will happen in the transfer market with regard to signing a new striker, but what Wayne did last season was staggering," Ferdinand added.

"He had to take the responsibility of leading the line on his shoulders and he was awesome."

"He played out of position a lot. He played on the left and sacrificed himself so many times for the team."