Rooney ready to start 2011-12 season with a bang against Man City
London, Aug. 5 : Star striker Wayne Rooney is determined to start the new season ''with a bang'' - by putting Manchester City in their place in Sunday''s Community Shield shootout.
The Manchester United striker insists that the prospect of a fiercely contested derby before the Premier League campaign gets underway has given pre-season training an extra edge.
"You couldn''t get better motivation to start the season with a bang. It''s a great way to start pre- season training, knowing at the end of the hard work, before the games begin, there''s a Manchester derby. Playing City in the Community Shield is the best way to start," the Sun quoted Rooney, as saying.
The clash also represents a Wembley rematch after Yaya Toure''s goal gave City a 1-0 win over United in their FA Cup semi-final at the same venue in April.
That proved the springboard for City to lift their first piece of silverware in 35 years as they disposed of Stoke in the final. (ANI)