ALEX FERGUSON believes Wayne Rooney can be a classic No9 after he fired Manchester United into the final of the Club World Cup.
The England striker scored twice after coming on as a sub, as fans in Yokahama were treated to eight goals — including six in the last 15 minutes.
And having witnessed a display of clinical finishing, Ferguson revealed the long-term plan for Rooney is to push him further up the field.
He said: "I think Wayne can be a No9. We are trying to develop him that way. We have tried to play him there for most of the season.
“His movement, strength and penetration are very good. For the third goal that really killed them he made two runs, across and back and across and behind. They were really clever.
“It marks out the quality he can give you in that position and he will improve from there.”
Nemanja Vidic and Cristiano Ronaldo got the ball rolling for United, heading a goal apiece for a comfortable 2-0 lead at half time.
But rather than shut up shop, Ferguson's men went for the kill after Masato Yamazaki had pulled a goal back on 74 minutes.
Ferguson brought on Rooney and was rewarded immediately when he slid home a ball from Darren Fletcher.
The Scottish midfielder then turned finisher himself, nodding home a cross from Patrice Evra.
Rooney helped himself to a second, latching onto Ryan Giggs' through-ball.
But Gamba pegged them back again just moments later, with Yasuhito Endo slamming home a penalty after Gary Neville had handled in the box.
And while never threatened, United switched off again in the 90th minute as Hideo Hashimoto slammed home the ball from just inside the box.
United will now face Ecuadorian side LDU Quito in Sunday's showpiece.
The England striker scored twice after coming on as a sub, as fans in Yokahama were treated to eight goals — including six in the last 15 minutes.
And having witnessed a display of clinical finishing, Ferguson revealed the long-term plan for Rooney is to push him further up the field.
He said: "I think Wayne can be a No9. We are trying to develop him that way. We have tried to play him there for most of the season.
“His movement, strength and penetration are very good. For the third goal that really killed them he made two runs, across and back and across and behind. They were really clever.
“It marks out the quality he can give you in that position and he will improve from there.”
Nemanja Vidic and Cristiano Ronaldo got the ball rolling for United, heading a goal apiece for a comfortable 2-0 lead at half time.
But rather than shut up shop, Ferguson's men went for the kill after Masato Yamazaki had pulled a goal back on 74 minutes.
Ferguson brought on Rooney and was rewarded immediately when he slid home a ball from Darren Fletcher.
The Scottish midfielder then turned finisher himself, nodding home a cross from Patrice Evra.
Rooney helped himself to a second, latching onto Ryan Giggs' through-ball.
But Gamba pegged them back again just moments later, with Yasuhito Endo slamming home a penalty after Gary Neville had handled in the box.
And while never threatened, United switched off again in the 90th minute as Hideo Hashimoto slammed home the ball from just inside the box.
United will now face Ecuadorian side LDU Quito in Sunday's showpiece.
