Rooney has been asked to adopt more advanced positions this term as Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson tries to get the best out of the England international.

Although he has not been able to maintain the form of his prolific October, Rooney has responded in exactly the right manner - and produced an amazing 18-minute cameo in his team's Club World Cup win over Gamba Osaka in Yokohama.

United's semi-final was meandering towards a routine win when Rooney entered the fray.

Before the Merseysider had even touched, the ball the J.League outfit pulled one back - starting an amazing scoring sequence in which he got two goals, Darren Fletcher added another - and Gamba grabbed two more as the contest finished 5-3.

In addition, Rooney managed to get himself booked - maybe not the best move for a player many think was fortunate not to be charged by UEFA when he landed on Aalborg midfielder Kasper Risgard at Old Trafford last week.

Ferdinand is more concerned with Rooney's performances in front of goal.

After watching his international team-mate hit the net for an eighth time this term, the 30-year-old is in no doubt Rooney is destined for the very top.

"Maybe it has had to be drilled into him, but Wayne is playing more like an orthodox centre-forward for us and - given time - he could easily be the best in the world," said Ferdinand.

"He has the capability, without a doubt.

"He has more tools in his box than any other number nine in the world.

"I have every confidence in him. It is just a matter of him being given the time, and I am sure he will put it into practice."

Rooney appears to be enjoying himself - and after living in the shadows of Cristiano Ronaldo for the past couple of seasons, he seems ready to join the Ballon D'Or winner at the very highest level.

Ferdinand believes so - just as he feels if Rooney really puts his mind to it, he can achieve what Ronaldo did last term by finishing top of the goalscoring charts.

"Sometimes he needs to be more selfish," added the former West Ham star.

"I feel he is capable of getting 25 or 30 goals a season.

"I know how difficult Wayne can be to play against, and if he continues to keep working in the right areas he can be top scorer in the Premier League.

"But in order to achieve it, you must have a certain amount of selfishness - and he probably needs it a little bit more."