It’s time for United to deliver, says Rooney

WAYNE ROONEY has admitted a second successive season without a trophy would be unacceptable for Manchester United.

Although the teenage striking sensation turned in a series of outstanding performances following his £27m move from Everton 12 months ago, he ended his first Red Devils campaign without a winners’ medal.

The 19-year-old has already shown he does not intend to suffer another barren season, scoring the opener and setting up the other two for Ruud van Nistelrooy and Cristiano Ronaldo as United opened the new campaign with a 3-0 triumph over Champions League qualifying rivals Debrecen.

It may be only the first small stride in a long and hazardous trophy trek, but when he looks around the Old Trafford dressing room, Rooney acknowledges the need to make a significant improvement on last term’s lacklustre efforts. “Manchester United is a massive club,” he said.

“We have a great team which is capable of achieving far more than it did last season. A club of this size cannot afford to go through another season without winning a trophy. At least we have managed to get off to a good start this time and hopefully we can continue that form throughout the season.”

Even though Rooney launched himself onto the international stage in amazing fashion during Euro 2004, there were plenty who felt Ferguson had paid too much for the youngster.

If anything, the Croxteth-born player’s performances since that time make his transfer fee look on the small side. Last term’s 17-goal haul included half a dozen goal-of-the-season contenders and despite his tender years, many United fans cannot imagine how their team would cope without him.

Rooney has no problem brushing off the accolades, although he does admit his own game has improved immeasurably since he made the short journey down the East Lancs Road.

“I have made a lot of progress over the last 12 months,” he admitted.

“Working with the manager and the other players here has been a really good experience for me. I have the first season out of the way now. I am fit and sharp and feeling really excited about what is to come.”

With a three-goal advantage, United should have few problems sealing their customary Champions League group place when they visit Budapest for the return leg on August 24.

Rooney believes a single away goal - which would leave Debrecen needing five - will be enough and on Tuesday night’s evidence, few would bet against United getting it.

By then, United will be two games into the new Premiership campaign, with the pressure on to avoid a repeat of the meagre six-point haul they picked up in their first five games 12 months ago.

Ironically for Rooney, Saturday’s seasonal opener sends him back to Everton, where he won in the FA Cup, before losing a stormy affair in the league. That was one of five Premiership defeats, four more than champions Chelsea suffered.

So, with the entire Old Trafford camp accepting standards have been raised significantly since they last celebrated a title triumph in 2003, Rooney knows a second successive failure at his old stomping ground cannot be contemplated.