Ronaldo finished top of the scoring charts at United for the past two seasons before his summer departure to Real Madrid and Rooney now looks on course to take over his mantle after bagging all four goals in the weekend victory over Hull.

The England centre-forward has been in scintillating form this season, notching 19 Premier League goals, but he claims United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has not instructed him to play differently this campaign.

"I wouldn't say the manager has told me to play in a different way," Rooney told www.goal.com. "I've been playing like this for years.

"I've just matured and been given a lot more responsibility but that doesn't mean I don't want to win. I still have that passion and hunger.

"Hopefully I can have a good run in the side now and keep scoring goals. We've got ourselves into a good position in the league.

"We've dealt with defensive setbacks very well. The way we played last season has given us a lot of confidence and we will get there.

"The pressure to succeed is still there because every manager and every single player wants to make a name for themselves at our expense."

Rooney also leapt to the defence of strike partner Dimitar Berbatov, who has come in for a lot of criticism from fans since his £30.75million move from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2008.

He added: "Strikers always go through a bad patch and they get criticised by people who do not see how much effort he is putting in day in and day out.

"Berbatov's a very technically sound player. He can score, create opportunities for the guys and gives me a great deal of freedom to get forward.

"He does his fair share and our partnership is very fresh, and it'll get better. He's just focusing on his game."

Rooney, who joined United from Everton in 2004, continues to be linked with a move away from Old Trafford amid reported interest from Spanish giants Madrid and Barcelona.

However, the 24-year-old has reiterated his desire to remain with the Red Devils.

"I'm a Manchester United player unless the manager tells me otherwise," said Rooney. "I live near the training ground, life's good and I just want to play for Manchester United because the manager has given me so much and I want to repay his faith in me.

"I've channelled my feelings and passion into all the right places and I'm a man, not the kid everyone saw a few years ago, and I owe it to the manager."