Rooney: We'll Push On For Silverware Next Season

Wayne Rooney may have unusually missed out on an end-of-season award but he still has plenty to feel positive about following his first campaign as Manchester United captain.

The skipper's 14th and most recent strike for the Reds, in April's 3-1 victory over Aston Villa, was on the final shortlist for best goal of 2014/15 - ultimately won by Juan Mata's volley at Anfield - but he insists the target his team hit together last weekend was the most important one.

"The main aim was to get back into the Champions League," said Rooney during the awards night at Old Trafford.

"It was very important because one year [out of the competition] was far too much for this club. So that was our main objective, to bring Champions League football back, and we've done that.

"Now we want to go and win the last game of the season and then next season we really want to push for silverware. We're establishing a very good squad who I believe can go on and win silverware next year."

As well as being Rooney's maiden season as captain, it was also Louis van Gaal's first term in the manager's office, of course. When asked what it has been like to work under the Dutchman, the striker quipped with a smile: "Tough!"

Standing close to his manager on stage at Old Trafford, Rooney expanded: "No, the manager has come in and been excellent.

"It's a different way of working to what we're used to and I think the players have embraced that. In the first few months it was different, we found it tough, I think that probably showed in our performances. But since then I think everyone has seen the quality of football that we've been playing and I'm sure with the experience the manager has got, we'll all kick on, we'll learn a lot and it will benefit us."

One player who has already benefited hugely from van Gaal's tutelage is the man Rooney voted for as the season's star performer.

"I voted for Ashley Young," revealed the Reds skipper. "He had a difficult season last year, he didn't play much and I know he found that tough. He had a bit of stick from the fans but he's come back, he's turned that around and he's been incredible this year. That's why I voted for him."