The Manchester United striker took his tally for the season to 20 with his incredible four-timer against Hull at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Now Rooney is gunning for more. And Ferguson is confident he will get them.

"Wayne has got 20 goals and the crucial part of the season is coming up," said Ferguson.

"He could easily get above 30. His ratio at the moment suggests that."

Rooney has certainly produced an impressive response to being handed extra responsibility in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo's world record £80million exit for Real Madrid.

At 24, the England forward is now showing how much he learned in his formative years, when so much was predicted of him.

"Wayne has become more aware of the penalty box," said Ferguson.

"Giving him the direct role has given him an appetite to be in the box all the time.

"He still has moments when he goes into other areas of the pitch but he is choosing those moments more maturely.

"The main reason he is scoring the goals is because he is in the right place at the right time. That is what good goalscorers do."

Having claimed he would not be doing any business during the current transfer window, it now appears Ferguson is pursuing Fulham defender Chris Smalling.

The 20-year-old Londoner was still plying his trade at Maidstone two seasons ago but has relished the massive step up in standard, having been snapped up by Roy Hodgson.

Arsenal are also believed to have shown some interest but with John O'Shea out since November with a leg injury and unlikely to be back before the end of the season, Ferguson looks to have made a move for a player who perfectly fits the age profile he now looks to do business at.

Even if they pushed through a deal, Smalling could not face Manchester City in tomorrow's Carling Cup semi-final decider.

The powderkeg clash has been given added bite due to the gesture exchange between Gary Neville and Carlos Tevez at Eastlands last week.

Nine thousand City fans add even more to the mix and both the Football Association and Greater Manchester Police have already stepped in with their own pleas for calm.

But Ferguson has no fears for his own side.

Having been through so many big nights in the past, the Scot feels there is no need to be worried.

"I don't pay any attention to all that," he said.

"The player behaviour has always been perfect. We have great players who play to the right rules of the game.

"We have never had any issues in big games. Look at the record. I am not worried about it."

City chief executive Garry Cook has added his own contribution, claiming it is "when and not if" the Blues get through.

Ferguson is not interested in getting involved in a war of words though.

His time at United has brought him into conflict with Leeds, Liverpool and Chelsea in major semi-finals and finals.

And he sees no reason why his side's discipline should let them down now.

"We have enough experience of playing in big games to know it is important to keep your head," said Ferguson.

"It is always a key factor.

"We have had feisty games against the likes of Leeds and Liverpool since I have been here.

"Player behaviour has always been good. It has never been an issue."