Red Devils the real deal, says Rooney

WAYNE ROONEY has no problem with Manchester United being accused of lacking fantasy if they end up emulating the 1999 treble winners.

Alex Ferguson is getting irritated by the claim his present squad are sub-standard compared to those from years gone by if his comments in the programme notes for Tuesday night’s Champions League win over Marseille are any guide.

Even in defeat, Marseille boss Didier Deschamps remains adamant this Red Devils outfit are a pale imitation of those from days gone by.

Yet, for all the criticism, they keep winning.

And tomorrow, United will learn their European Cup quarter-final opponents, having squeezed into the last eight by the narrowest of margins.

It means they all still in contention to lift all three trophies that turned them into history makers 12 seasons ago.

“I would take that all day,” he said.

“Look at Inter Milan. They won the Italian treble last season. You wouldn’t say they were the most entertaining team to watch. But they achieved history.

Rooney certainly sees no need to apologise for the manner of United’s victories.

After all, his jaw-dropping overhead kick in last month’s Manchester derby will stand comparison with any goal, whilst in 16-goal striker Javier Hernandez, Rooney feels United have the “steal of the season”.

“Without a doubt. You can see he is in good form scoring-wise but he works so hard as well.

“He always tries to stay on the shoulder of the last defender. You know he is quick, which makes it easier to find him.”

So well indeed that Dimitar Berbatov cannot get into the United starting line-up despite including three hat-tricks in a 20-goal haul that, for now, has him top of the United scoring charts.

Rooney has not even reached half that tally yet, which considering he ended last term with 32, just emphasises the this

“I am actually quite enjoying it. Although last season I scored more goals, I wasn’t getting involved in the game.

“As a football player, you want to be involved and setting things up.

“I am happy to take on the responsibility. When you set a goal up it is a great feeling. It is up there with scoring certainly.”