Wayne Rooney says one winner’s medal not enough

• Posted on February 25, 2014February 25, 2014
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Wayne Rooney says he does not want to finish his career with just one Champions League winner’s medal to his name.

United take on Greek champions Olympiakos on Tuesday night in the first leg of their last 16 double-header, and a positive result in Pireus will see them put one foot in the quarter-finals.

The England striker has won five Premier League titles, but from three Champions League finals he has just one winner’s medal – from the famous night in Moscow when they beat Chelsea on penalties.

That was six years ago, and the memories of two defeats by Barcelona in the final still haunt Rooney.

Rooney turns 29 this year and he says time is running out to add to his winner’s medal collection.

“One (Champions League) is never enough, especially at this club,” he said.

“We need to keep trying to get into finals. The feeling you get when you win a trophy is incredible so you don’t want to stop at one. Obviously you want to win every year but that’s impossible.

“If we can go to final it’d be great for us. It would be an opportunity to win another trophy, so hopefully we can do that.

“I grew up all my life wanting to win trophies. That’s the main aim. That’s what you’ll be judged on when you finish your career.”

United are 25-1 outsiders to lift the trophy in Lisbon on May 24, but they are favourites to knock out the Greeks.

Rooney concedes United have not performed well enough under David Moyes this campaign and he hopes they can end the season well so that they can use it to build on for next term.

“As a group of players we have to take responsibility for our league position,” Rooney conceded

“We know we’re better than that and we haven’t performed as well as we can do.

“We know that and it hurts. Now it’s important we finish the season strongly and take some momentum into next year, but more importantly get into fourth spot and do well in the Champions League.”

Olympiakos – who are without top scorer Javier Saviola through injury – are unbeaten at the top of the Greek Super League this season, and have lost just twice in the last four years at home in the domestic league.

They have lost all four previous meetings with United but David Moyes is not expecting a comfortable night at the Karaiskakis Stadium in the last four years.

“It will be far from easy,” the United boss said.

“Olympiakos came through a difficult group with Benfica, Paris Saint-Germain (and Anderlecht).

“They have a great home record so it will be a difficult night.”

-skysports