Rooney firmly focused on winning domestic honours

There was no disputing that United's star turn in Wednesday night's 3-0 destruction of Debrecen in the first leg Champions' League qualifier was the 19-year-old England striker who scored one goal, made two and looked comfortably at home in a deep-lying role behind Ruud van Nistelrooy. It was a performance that also offered great promise for 10 months' time and the World Cup finals but first, Rooney said, he was keen to win his first domestic honours.

"This is a massive club and there's a great team spirit - but for a club of this size, we can't go another season without winning a trophy," he said. "Working with these players and the manager for a year has been a very good experience, I've got my first year out of the way, I feel very settled, I'm fit and I feel sharp and excited about the season.

"I was delighted to get a goal against Debrecen, especially in my first game of the season. It's good that the three of us - me, Ruud and Ronaldo are all off the mark - that's a good sign for the season."

While the Glazer brothers - Joel, Avram and Bryan - met the players and staff in the dressing-room after the match, a post-match visit from the board is an Old Trafford tradition and is accepted by United's mnager, Sir Alex Ferguson. United will receive a little more Champions' League money if Everton fail to overturn Villareal's 2-1 first leg lead in two weeks' time.

Real Madrid's sporting director, Arrigo Sacchi, insists he wants Michael Owen, who has been linked with United, to stay at the club. "I hope he stays here because he will have the respect of the whole club as he is a fantastic person," Sacchi said.