carlyluvsunited
14-12-2007, 07:06 AM
ROONEY WANTS FINAL SAY
Manchester United have completed their stroll into the Champions League
knockout phase - and now stand-in skipper Wayne Rooney is determined the
Red Devils should eclipse last season's semi-final appearance.
Sir Alex Ferguson's young side took plenty of credit for their performance against
Roma in the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday night.
United were just 19 minutes away from recording only their third win on Italian
soil when Mancini struck for the hosts.
But, with Roma unable to make any further impression on United's defence,
Ferguson's team ended Group F unbeaten and in pole position for an assault on
their third European Cup when the competition resumes in February.
The Old Trafford club already know they have five potential opponents in the last
16, most of whom they have met fairly recently.
Celtic (2006), Olympiakos (2002), Fenerbahce and Lyon (both 2004) have all been
encountered in the last five years, with only German outfit Schalke offering
United the possibility of a new continental experience.
While the entire quintet will be respected, on current form United will fancy their
chances against them all. Little wonder, therefore, Rooney is full of optimism for
the campaign ahead.
"Hopefully, we can go one step further than we did last year and get to that
final," he said. "Then, anything can happen.
"We want to win the Champions League and we want to win the Premier League.
Hopefully we can do that this year."
Although Ferguson had eight full internationals in his starting line-up, only Rooney
can consider himself likely to retain his place for Sunday's blockbusting
showdown with Liverpool at Anfield.
As a lifelong Evertonian, now wedded to the Manchester United cause, the trip is
always likely to ignite Rooney's passions.
And few would disagree with his view that, historically, the game is the most
eagerly awaited of United's entire campaign.
"Obviously, Liverpool away is a massive game," he said. "Probably our biggest of
the season.
"It won't decide the title but it is a chance to put some daylight between us."
The Red Devils currently boast a six-point advantage over their north-west rivals,
although Liverpool do have a game in hand and are also in top form judging by
their four-goal hammering of Marseille on Tuesday.
Rooney watched the game in United's plush team hotel overlooking the Vatican,
and admitted he was impressed.
"They did very well and got an excellent result," he said.
"They are scoring a lot of goals but probably the best thing we can do is
concentrate on our job rather than worry about them."
Having pestered his manager for months over the possibility of being United
captain, Rooney effectively robbed himself of a minor break as Ferguson finally
bowed to his demands.
However, while the likes of Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez and Rio
Ferdinand were able to prepare for the Liverpool confrontation at United's
Carrington training base, Rooney, now recovered from the freak ankle injury he
suffered in training last month and the broken foot he sustained in the opening
game of the campaign against Reading, is just desperate to play.
"I have missed enough football this season already," he said.
"I didn't want to miss any more, so it was good for me to have a run-out.
"With each game you get fitter and I'm feeling good now.
"Hopefully the break I've had could help me towards the end of the season."
www.sportinglife.co.uk
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Manchester United have completed their stroll into the Champions League
knockout phase - and now stand-in skipper Wayne Rooney is determined the
Red Devils should eclipse last season's semi-final appearance.
Sir Alex Ferguson's young side took plenty of credit for their performance against
Roma in the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday night.
United were just 19 minutes away from recording only their third win on Italian
soil when Mancini struck for the hosts.
But, with Roma unable to make any further impression on United's defence,
Ferguson's team ended Group F unbeaten and in pole position for an assault on
their third European Cup when the competition resumes in February.
The Old Trafford club already know they have five potential opponents in the last
16, most of whom they have met fairly recently.
Celtic (2006), Olympiakos (2002), Fenerbahce and Lyon (both 2004) have all been
encountered in the last five years, with only German outfit Schalke offering
United the possibility of a new continental experience.
While the entire quintet will be respected, on current form United will fancy their
chances against them all. Little wonder, therefore, Rooney is full of optimism for
the campaign ahead.
"Hopefully, we can go one step further than we did last year and get to that
final," he said. "Then, anything can happen.
"We want to win the Champions League and we want to win the Premier League.
Hopefully we can do that this year."
Although Ferguson had eight full internationals in his starting line-up, only Rooney
can consider himself likely to retain his place for Sunday's blockbusting
showdown with Liverpool at Anfield.
As a lifelong Evertonian, now wedded to the Manchester United cause, the trip is
always likely to ignite Rooney's passions.
And few would disagree with his view that, historically, the game is the most
eagerly awaited of United's entire campaign.
"Obviously, Liverpool away is a massive game," he said. "Probably our biggest of
the season.
"It won't decide the title but it is a chance to put some daylight between us."
The Red Devils currently boast a six-point advantage over their north-west rivals,
although Liverpool do have a game in hand and are also in top form judging by
their four-goal hammering of Marseille on Tuesday.
Rooney watched the game in United's plush team hotel overlooking the Vatican,
and admitted he was impressed.
"They did very well and got an excellent result," he said.
"They are scoring a lot of goals but probably the best thing we can do is
concentrate on our job rather than worry about them."
Having pestered his manager for months over the possibility of being United
captain, Rooney effectively robbed himself of a minor break as Ferguson finally
bowed to his demands.
However, while the likes of Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez and Rio
Ferdinand were able to prepare for the Liverpool confrontation at United's
Carrington training base, Rooney, now recovered from the freak ankle injury he
suffered in training last month and the broken foot he sustained in the opening
game of the campaign against Reading, is just desperate to play.
"I have missed enough football this season already," he said.
"I didn't want to miss any more, so it was good for me to have a run-out.
"With each game you get fitter and I'm feeling good now.
"Hopefully the break I've had could help me towards the end of the season."
www.sportinglife.co.uk
Click below to join manutdtalk.com forums to read and
discuss all breaking news on all things United !!! Come talk to us….
http://manutdtalk.com/forums/register.php