Of far more interest to Sir Alex Ferguson and Fabio Capello than Rooney's new thatch was the inspirational performance Manchester United's number one striker produced in Sunday's annihilation of Arsenal at Old Trafford.

The 25-year-old bagged a hat-trick, taking his tally for the season to five, a figure it took him until February to reach last term.

It provided the perfect backdrop to Rooney's first lengthy chat of the campaign, although his hair was a subject of equal interest.

"I have spent more time looking in the mirror," he smiled.

"Going bald is a bit stressful so I made a decision to get it done."

But will it put him more in touch with his feminine side? It was the type of question that could have triggered a snarl at the very least. Not this time.

"No," he laughed. "I won't be like (Cristiano) Ronaldo."

It just emphasised what a good mood Rooney is currently in, a fact he alluded to himself in a fairly blunt assessment of his character.

"There have been times when I have been more aggressive and gone in for silly challenges," he said.

"But I am not really doing that anymore and I am in a happy place, both on and off the pitch.

"Sometimes it happens and it's hard to control. But if you stay in control, your performances will be better. And at the moment, I feel good."

Rooney refutes the allegation that 2010 was 'a lost year'. Yet even this most mentally strong character admits there were times during his prolonged dip in form, which was triggered by an ankle injury and encompassed a horrendous World Cup and an ill-advised transfer request, when he felt unable to find a solution to his problems.

"It was frustrating because I knew I could do better," he said.

"I was working hard in training and in games but things weren't coming off. It is hard to come to terms with that.

"It would have been quite easy to lose confidence in myself and my ability to come back to my best.

"Obviously I saw people on TV or in the newspapers questioning me but in a way that helped because I wanted to prove they were wrong.

"It made me more angry and willing to get back to doing it."

Rooney pinpoints his return in form to New Year's Day, and the goal he scored at West Brom which helped United grab a vital three points on the road to a record 19th league title.

He scored in the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona, then carried that form into this season, culminating with his efforts at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Red Devils fitness coach Tony Strudwick may not be too pleased to hear of Rooney's reasons why this campaign has started so well. But at least he is being honest.

"At the end of the season, I made a decision to do no training whatsoever in the summer," revealed the 25-year-old.

"I honestly didn't lift any weights or run. Nothing.

"The fitness coach gave me a programme to follow but I left it behind.

"I had to watch what I was eating because I am the type of person who could easily put on a lot of weight.

"I was a couple of kilos over when I came back to training but it's easy enough to lose with the work we do in pre-season and I certainly feel that has benefited me."

The results are obvious, with United now primed to face the obvious threat posed by Manchester City in the battle for top honours.

How history could have been different.

Few were aware of it but 12 months ago, Rooney had already informed Ferguson of his discontent at the direction United were heading, irritation that eventually led to that high-profile transfer request.

Rooney eventually hauled himself back from the abyss, scooping up his fourth championship medal at the end of the season as testament to his own folly.

"I said after I signed my contract that I had made a mistake," he recalled. "What I did was wrong.

"I am thankful that I stayed and signed. It's the best decision I have made in my football career."