Wayne Rooney believes a move back into midfield will prevent him following in the footsteps of Michael Owen and seeing his career end early.

The Manchester United captain has been used in a deeper position more often by manager Louis van Gaal this season and scored as a midfielder in Sunday's 3-0 win over Liverpool.

The 29-year-old said: "It is a different system and a new position again for me this season but I have played it before. It is a different way of playing. I am enjoying it. I like to learn different roles and I think it will help me on the pitch and after football if I go into management. I am enjoying my football."

Rooney's former United and England teammate Owen rose to prominence as a teenager but retired at just 33 and rarely played first-team football after he turned 30.

On his midfield role, Rooney added: "I think it can help me in years to come. You see top players like Michael Owen retire. He was one of the world's best players but I don't think he could drop back into midfield so, once his pace had gone through injuries, that was kind of the end.

"But I feel I can drop back and I am sure it will give me an extra few years at the end of my career."