Wayne Rooney has backed Manchester United to become a major force at home and in Europe again.
Rooney heads back to the city where he enjoyed the best night of his career this week.
For the United and England captain, Moscow is synonymous with glory.
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On a sodden night in the Russian capital seven years ago, Rooney and his team-mates defeated Chelsea on penalties to clinch United’s third European Cup.
The venue may be different – CSKA Moscow play in the Khimki Arena, not the Luzhniki Stadium – but the feeling of going back to Moscow remains the same for Rooney ahead of tonight’s Champions League group stage encounter.
The 29-year-old recalled that night in Moscow with a warm smile.
“It was the highlight of my career,” the striker said.
“It is a massive competition to play in, to win the trophy it’s obviously great memories.”
It was not such an enjoyable experience at the time. Substituted in the second half, the forward had to watch on from the halfway line, arm in arm with his team-mates, as the penalty shootout unfolded 50 yards downfield.
Michael Carrick could bring himself to watch. Rooney did, but he did not enjoy it.
He said: “I have been involved in a few penalty shootouts, but it was worse watching it rather than actually knowing you were taking a penalty because when you take one you are focusing on it.
“When you are on the sideline and you have no influence.”
The Champions League has brought Rooney pain in his career too. He has been on the losing team on two occasions. Last year he had to watch it from the sidelines because of United’s failure to qualify under David Moyes.
Rooney believes those dark days are a thing of the past now.
Manchester to Moscow – #mufc are back in the city that brings great Champions League memories. pic.twitter.com/8JMoIT4ai0
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 20, 2015
“If we keep going the way we are, keep improving the way we are, then we will have a good chance of being successful,” he said.
Rooney, who turns 30 on Saturday, has won five Premier Leagues, two League Cups and the Champions League during a successful 13-year professional career.
There will be a tinge of disappointment when Rooney’s career ends if he has not won Europe’s top club competition once more.
He said: “It’s a tough competition to play in and obviously I am delighted to have won it in my time here, but it’s disappointing to lose two finals.”
