Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney says he never doubted his ability



Rooney's 878-minute goal drought came to an end on Wednesday night as he scored three impressive goals in United's 4-0 win over Club Brugge.

The result meant United progressed to the group stages with a 7-1 aggregate win and no member of the travelling squad was happier than Rooney after the final whistle.

The United captain maintained he never lost faith in his abilities during his dry patch.

He told BT Sport: ''If I didn't have a strong character maybe that would have affected me, but I know my quality, I know what I give to the team and if the goals don't go in I still bring a lot to my team-mates.

''Thankfully I got the chances tonight and I stuck them in.

''I wasn't worried, if it was going on for three, four, five games more then maybe so but it's early days and I knew when the chances came I'd take them.

''As a striker obviously you want to score, everybody goes back to last season and it was so many games without scoring, but a lot of top quality strikers are yet to get off the mark at this stage.

''I understand because of my name and because of who I am it will get publicised a lot more

That's my job and I understand that.''

Rooney latched on to Memphis Depay's through-ball to put United ahead in the 20th minute and then doubled his tally by converting Ander Herrera's pass after the break.

The skipper then moved within 16 goals of Sir Bobby Charlton's scoring record with his third goal - a tidy finish from a Juan Mata cut-back.

Louis van Gaal feels he played a key part in keeping Rooney's confidence up during his recent troubles.

"I have given him always the confidence that a player needs," the United manager said.

"But I think Wayne has a very strong mentality and with his level he always shall come back

He proved that this evening.

"Still it's a long way for him and also for Manchester United it's not so easy, but of course I'm very happy for him."

Source : PA

Source: PA