Alex Ferguson is not about to make a habit of playing Wayne Rooney in central midfield even if the Manchester United striker excelled in the unfamiliar role last week.
However, the manner in which Rooney pulled the strings in a disciplined performance in Wednesday's 2-0 Champions League win over Otelul Galati would suggest against against Sunderland he can expect to do the same.
"When you've got a player who I think has scored 10 goals so far, you want him to be in positions where he will get even more goals and I think that position is in his normal place," Ferguson said.
The England striker was playing out of position because of injuries to Tom Cleverley, Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher and could well be called upon if they are ever short again.
"It's conditional in the sense of what midfield players I have available," Ferguson added. "We decided why not play Wayne there because he's got the appetite for it, he's got the energy levels for it.
Cleverley has been ruled out of Saturday's match against the 14th-placed visitors but Carrick is back in training and Fletcher is fit, meaning Rooney might have to return to being a striker despite his belief he can play anywhere on the pitch.
"He says his best position is centre-half but I'm not about to try that," Ferguson laughed.