Rooney: Man. United Can Be Great Again

Wayne Rooney has backed Manchester United to be a major force both domestically and on the European stage once again.

Rooney travels to the city where he enjoyed the 'highlight' of his playing career when United take on CSKA Moscow on Wednesday night.

But United have failed to compete at the latter stages of the competition in recent years, last reaching the semi-finals in 2011. Indeed, they missed out all together last season after failing to qualify under David Moyes.

Rooney is convinced United are growing as a side under manager Louis van Gaal and believes those days are a thing of the past.

"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."

Although the stadium may be different - CSKA Moscow play in the Khimki Arena, not the Luzhniki Stadium - the feeling of going back to Moscow, scene of United's victory in the 2008 Champions League final, brings back fond memories.

"It was the highlight of my career," the former Everton forward said. "It is a massive competition to play in, to win the trophy it's obviously great memories."

Although Rooney has won five Premier League titles, two League Cups and the Champions League in 11 full seasons at Old Trafford, he still has unfinished business with Europe's elite competition.

He said: "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."

Rooney turns 30 on Saturday and he does not see this particular landmark as the start of his decline.

"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," said Rooney, who will draw level with Denis Law on 237 United goals if he scores in Wednesday's Group B match.

"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."

Credit: Skysports.com