In the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, it is the sight of Wayne Rooney that has most excited South Africa's football fans during Manchester United's pre-season tour to the country this week.

When Sir Alex Ferguson talks about the potential of a team who have already proved to be the best in England and in Europe, the names of Rooney and Ronaldo are never far from the manager's lips, even accounting for the latter's brazen flirting with Real Madrid in recent months.

That the players are so different perhaps heightens their appeal, but while Ronaldo has gone from strength to strength in recent years, Rooney has had to settle for playing second fiddle to United's poster boy. Ronaldo is absent from this tour with an ankle injury, but whether or not that absence becomes permanent with a move to Real, it seems that Rooney's days as the support act may be drawing to an end.

Ferguson admitted for the first time yesterday that he must shoulder some of the blame for Rooney's perceived problems in front of goal last season and revealed that the player can expect to play in his favoured central role more often in the next campaign.

Pelé, the former Brazil forward, thinks that Rooney has not developed at the rate that most would have expected since his arrival as an international striker at Euro 2004 and that his brittle temperament often hampers his performances. Ferguson, however, is convinced that when Rooney is played in his best position, people will see a more controlled and prolific player.

“I have to take a bit of responsibility for it,” the United manager said. “He's sacrificed himself and never complained about it, which says a lot for the lad. He will score goals. He scored a couple against Aston Villa last season after not scoring for seven games and I thought that would have catapulted him into a good run, but we kept using him in different positions. We need to define his role better.

“I think his best position is through the middle, either a front role or tucking in just behind. He can play either role very well. He is aggressive, has two feet, good pace, he has the courage to get in the box.”

Some may speculate that Ferguson is planning to move Rooney back to a central position in preparation for Ronaldo's departure, but while the Portuguese is still threatening to leave, the manager is keen to reward Rooney for his attitude. “It's great credit to the lad that he never complains,” Ferguson said. “Some players know what their best position is and they don't want to challenge themselves in any other one, but Wayne would play centre half [if he was asked to].”

United are expected to make a second, improved bid for Dimitar Berbatov, the Tottenham Hotspur striker, once the North London club's complaints about United's pursuit of the Bulgaria player have been addressed, and Ferguson believes that Berbatov could be good for Rooney.

“He may benefit by playing with someone with more experience than him,” he said. “That always happens with young strikers. At 22, he was never going to be the finished article.

“We signed Wayne for his potential, which is why we paid [Everton] £26 million for him. It's for the long view. In a few years' time we will be saying that's really brilliant business.”