Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney is hoping that the Red Devils can learn from last season’s mistakes and avoid a trophyless campaign in 2012-13.
The 26-year-old England international returned to top form last season, baggin 37 goals and six assists in 53 appearances for club and country.
His 37-goal tally was 20 more than he netted in United’s 2010-11 campaign. With that said, the Red Devils did win the English Premier League title that season.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were eight points clear of noisy neighbors Manchester City with six league games remaining, but failed to hold onto their lead.
Subsequently, United finished as the runners-up, with City claiming their first league title since 1968.
“I think we all learned a lot,” Rooney told the club’s official website. “There have been a lot of games where you get a feeling afterwards that you never want to have again. Hopefully we can get hold of that feeling and make sure it doesn’t happen again.
“Just look at all the young players in the squad – they’ve played a lot of games, had a lot of ups and downs, and most of them are already getting selected for their national teams.
“That’s all going to help them. The next two or three years will be a big test for them, and I’m sure we’ll all pull through it.”
The Red Devils have already agreed to sign Japan international Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund; is Kagawa the answer for Manchester United?
The former Borussia Dortmund playmaker is part of the answer, without a shadow of a doubt. However, United are still relatively weak in the heart of the midfield.
Michael Carrick is not the player he once was, 18-year-old starlet Paul Pogba has joined Serie A giants Juve and Paul Scholes is 37 years of age.
The aforementioned premises underline United’s need for a world-class defensive midfielder. Now then, what are Sir Alex Ferguson’s options?
Roma holding midfielder Daniele De Rossi just recently revealed his love for English football, according to the Manchester Evening News, but City are fare more likely to land the Italian.
A more likely solution would be Real Madrid’s Lassana Diarra.
The Frenchman only appeared in 17 La Liga games for the champions, playing second fiddle to the likes of Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira.
The move would make a lot of sense, but no reports have suggested any move thus far.
In addition, Spurs’ midfielder Sandro seems a good fit for United.
The 23-year-old Brazilian made 30 appearances for club and country in 2011-12, netting one goal and one assist, and has been previously been linked with a move to Old Trafford.
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