Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has backed his team to be a big force in football once again, after 2 trophy-less years.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, things at Old Trafford are yet to be the same again – with the glory days seemingly over.
However, with the squad travelling to Moscow today in order to face CSKA, the city where in 2008 United lifted the Champions League trophy, Rooney is convinced United are growing as a side under manager Louis van Gaal and believes that he can be the man to lead United to glory.
“We want to get back to winning trophies, of course. That is why you play football – to try and be successful, certainly at this club,” Rooney said.
“In the last few years we haven’t been good enough.”
“There has been a big change in the club over the last few years and it’s now starting to settle back down into a good rhythm with what the manager wants from us and we are improving.”
“If we keep going the way we are, keep improving the way we are, then we will have a good chance of being successful.”
Rooney then recalled United’s victory in the 2008 Champions League final against Chelsea, a day he says is one of the highlights of his career.
“It was the highlight of my career, it is a massive competition to play in, to win the trophy it’s obviously great memories.”
“It’s a tough competition to play in and obviously I am delighted to have won it in my time here, but obviously it is disappointing to lose two finals, so it would be nice if we go on a good run in the competition and try and get success.”
“But that’s in the future. We have to focus now on the game tomorrow and try and get ourselves in a good position in the group.”
The striker turns 30 on Saturday, but has rubbished talk that his ability is declining.
“I physically feel good and obviously it’s a big birthday in anyone’s life, your 30th birthday, but in terms of me and football I still feel I am still young enough, and that I have a lot of years ahead of me. I have had no major muscle injuries and I think, with all the support we get, it’s still a fairly young age and hopefully I have got a lot of years to come.”
[All quotes via Sky Sports]