Man United are out to win Europa League, insists Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney is targeting Europa League glory with Manchester United following their shock Champions League exit last week.

United finished third in Group C behind Benfica and Basel, parachuting the reigning Premier League champions down into Europe’s second tier competition.

And when asked if he was looking forward to playing in the Europa League, Rooney replied: “Definitely.”

“It’s a shame we’re out of the Champions League. That’s what we all want to play in. Unfortunately we went out and now we turn our attention to the Premier League and Europa League.

“I don’t think the manager’s won the Europa League, so I’m sure he’ll want to win it. Every competition we enter we want to win.

“There are some good teams but we have to believe, keep working and hopefully we can go on and win it.”

The 26-year-old striker also says he will relish the chance to knock derby rivals Manchester City out of the FA Cup when the two sides meet in a much-anticipated third-round clash at the Etihad Stadium on 8 January.

“I was in my car at the time [of the FA Cup draw],” Rooney told United’s website. “I was driving from my house to Liverpool to see my mum and dad. When I got in I put the TV on and saw the draw.

“Both teams would probably rather have met each other later on but it’s a great team to play in and if you win it then you know you’ve knocked one of your main competitors out.”