Rooney Wants Top Spot

Wayne Rooney thinks it is important Manchester United win Group A after clinching Champions League qualification with a stunning 5-0 success against Bayer Leverkusen.

The Reds star helped set up the first four goals and produced yet another excellent performance, combining well with Shinji Kagawa in particular after the Japan international returned to the side in a central position.

The scoreline is one that will send shockwaves through Europe but the striker insists there must be no complacency when Shakhtar Donetsk, who recorded a heavy win against Real Sociedad themselves (4-0), come to Manchester next month.

"I think it's a great result obviously and, once the score was 2-0, we really did well to kill the game off," he explained to MUTV. "So I'm sure teams will look at the result but we will focus on the next game.

"We now need a point to finish top of the group so, while we're delighted with three points here, it's all important we try to get that point in the next game.

"I thought we played fantastically well with some great, powerful play and quick transitions. We took our chances so it was a good performance.

"Obviously, it was disappointing to lose a goal towards the end at Cardiff [on Sunday] and we didn't play as well as we can. So we're all delighted to come here, and put on a great performance, and are looking forward to playing Spurs on Sunday now."

Rooney was rightly pleased with his contribution despite failing to score himself and praised colleagues Kagawa and Ryan Giggs, who turns 40 on Friday.

"I think it's a team game and it's always great when you can help your team-mates score goals," he stated. "Thankfully, they have done that tonight.

"Shinji is a fantastic footballer so it's great for us. He hasn't played much football but came in tonight and played superbly. It's great to have players fighting for the positions.

"Ryan has done it for years and I've run out of things to say about him. During the game, actually, the centre-half for Bayer was asking how he is still playing at that age! It's great to see him with his composure on the ball. I certainly won't be playing at that age, that's for sure!"