Wayne Rooney has spoken of his determination to improve as a midfielder after being given a new role by Louis van Gaal.
The Manchester United captain spent the vast majority of the first 12 years of his career operating as a striker but was pushed into a deeper position by Van Gaal.
And Rooney, 29, is enjoying the freedom to score goals he still has but is conscious of the need to balance his attacking instincts with the task of protecting the defence.
"It is different," he told MUTV. "It is a role which the manager gives me licence to get forward as well and you have to make sure your defensive duties are right because it is an important position on the pitch so I have done the best I can. Hopefully I can keep doing that and keep learning."
Rooney was named United's player of the month for December after scoring three times as United won three and drew two of their five final games of 2014.
He added: "It is always a tough month, December and as a player and a team you have to dig in. We did quite well as a team and I scored a few goals from my new role in midfield.
"It is great to play games and it is great for the fans over the Christmas period to be able to go and watch their team play but it is physically demanding."
Rooney also won United's goal of the month competition for his opener in the 3-0 win over Liverpool.