Football-Sportclub: Manchester United

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Louis van Gaal battling expectations around Anthony Martial

Louis van Gaal once again tried to play down expectations surrounding Anthony Martial after he scored his fourth goal in as many matches for Manchester United.

United strolled into the fourth round of the Capital One Cup with a routine 3-0 win over Championship side Ipswich on Wednesday.

Wayne Rooney scored his first goal in domestic competition this season and Andreas Pereira converted a stunning free-kick on his full debut, but it was Martial who stole the headlines once more.

Twenty minutes after his introduction from the bench, the 19-year-old Frenchman latched on to Memphis Depay's knock-down and rolled the ball beyond Ipswich goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski to complete the victory in injury time.

Martial has now scored four goals in just 225 minutes for United, but Van Gaal wants to protect his prize asset and resisted the temptation to lavish praise on the £36million forward after the match.

"That is not so difficult (for him to stay grounded) because he is a player who is very modest and he knows he can score because of his fellow players," the United manager said of the most expensive teenager in history.

"We made it two times very easy (for him) because we won the game and then the gaps are existing and then with his speed and his composure he can score.

"He did it also against Liverpool and now again. We are happy but still we have to keep our feet on the ground."

Until Martial came on to the pitch to great acclaim from the home fans inside Old Trafford, it looked like being Pereira's night.

The Brazilian had impressed greatly on United's pre-season tour but until Wednesday, the talented forward had not got a sniff of first-team action this year.

The 19-year-old reminded Van Gaal of his talents in the best way possible on the hour, dipping a lovely free-kick over the wall into the corner while Bialkowski stood there motionless.

Just as he did with Martial, Van Gaal was wary of lauding the teenager for his efforts and warned him he faces strong competition to earn a regular place in the United team.

"He can play all these positions (across the front)," Van Gaal said.

"And his competitors are (Ashley) Young, (Memphis) Depay, (Juan) Mata, (Ander) Herrera, (Wayne) Rooney, (Marouane) Fellaini and (Jesse) Lingard.

"What is realistic is dependable on the level of the players. I put always the best player in the line-up when he is working for the team."

After exiting the Capital One Cup at the first hurdle last term to MK Dons, Van Gaal was pleased to advance to the fourth round, where United will face Middlesbrough at Old Trafford.

"It is the top club in the Championship," the United manager said of United's next opponents in the competition.

"It shall not be easy. Also this game was not easy. I am happy with the result and the draw because we are playing at home."

Van Gaal's opposite number Mick McCarthy, who made 11 changes for the match, was happy with his players despite the result

"Manchester United deserved to win," the Ipswich manager said.

"But I am delighted with my players.

"I could have put any team out against that team and probably still would have been beaten."

Pochettino: No player needs convincing to play for Tottenham

Mauricio Pochettino has praised the commitment shown by captain Hugo Lloris but insists no-one needs convincing to play for his Tottenham side.

Goalkeeper Lloris was appointed skipper at White Hart Lane after a summer that saw him consistently linked with a move away from the club – with Manchester United reportedly keen to sign the France international if David De Gea had moved to Real Madrid. But he remains a Tottenham player and, ahead of their opening fixture in this season's Europa League campaign at home to Qarabag, head coach Pochettino hailed Lloris and revealed he never needed to convince the 28-year-old to stay put.

"I don't think I need to convince anybody," he said. I think that Tottenham is a big club and the players want to play for Tottenham and all players are happy. I don't know why you still say that Hugo wants to play Champions League because he is very happy. I told you before.

"I think it is important in the way that he showed his commitment here and I am happy with him. Hugo is a very important player for us and he is our captain and he is a personality and commitment is important to show for the team."

Pochettino's side reached the round of 32 in last season's Europa League but it proved to be the starting point for Harry Kane's meteoric rise through the ranks. The England international was used almost exclusively in the competition earlier in the season before establishing himself as the club's first-choice striker and earning an England call-up.

He has yet to score for Spurs this season but could feature in Thursday night's meeting with Azerbaijan champions Qarabag as Pochettino looks to name a strong side – refuting claims his side may feel the strain later in the year.

"We try to put the best team for every game," he said. We pick the players that we believe that if for win the games and to do good. This is football. But I think that it doesn't affect a competition like the Europe League and the Premier League and at the end of the season if we are tired or not. We are ambitious, we expect more from us, from the team, and I think this is our ambition always. And that is not easy to do."

Meanwhile, Qarabag coach Gurban Qurbanov is looking forward to taking his side into battle against an English Premier League side for the first time – even if he expected something of a continental approach from Pochettino.

"Tommorow Qarabag will play one of our best games," he said. The team is very enthusiastic and we will try to please the fans of Azerbaijani football and demonstrate we are one of the best teams.

"Tottenham have an Argentinian coach and he worked for many years in Spain. Therefore I don't think that Tottenham play English football and we will most likely see a blend of English and Spanish football."

Manchester United's Luke Shaw undergoes surgery on broken leg

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw underwent surgery on his broken leg on Tuesday night.

Shaw was taken to an Eindhoven hospital after suffering the double fracture of his right leg in United's 2-1 Champions League defeat at the Philips Stadion.

The Premier League club announced in a statement on Wednesday morning that the 20-year-old would stay in Holland for the early stages of his recovery.

United's statement read: "Luke Shaw underwent surgery on his injury on Tuesday night and will remain in hospital in Eindhoven to continue his early recovery.

"Manchester United are grateful for the excellent care he is receiving and would like to thank everyone who has sent messages of support.

"A further update will be provided in due course."

United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward visited Shaw at the St Anna Ziekenhuis hospital on the outskirts of Eindhoven on Wednesday morning ahead of the squad's flight home.

In the 15th minute of the Champions League group stage match, Moreno slid in from behind on Shaw with both feet, trapping the left-back's right foot, which bent at an angle.

Incredibly, the Mexican was not punished for the challenge, which occurred in the home box.

United's England full-back left the field in tears, and it was clear the man who tackled him was affected by the incident too.

''I feel really sorry,'' the PSV defender later said. ''I just feel really bad because I was involved in the accident.''

However, Moreno - who suffered a fractured tibia himself during last year's World Cup match between Holland and Mexico - insists he should not have been penalised for the tackle.

Moreno said: ''I think I played the ball, but in this kind of situation I don't care if it was a foul, I feel bad for him, and for his family.

''I don't know how bad it is, but I had myself a situation like that during the World Cup and it's bad.

''It's difficult to say what happened. Now I just hope he will be back as soon as possible.''

Shaw tweeted on Tuesday night: ''Thank you everyone for your messages, words can't describe how gutted I am, my road to recovery starts now. I will come back stronger.''

Moreno nodded in a corner in first-half injury time after Memphis Depay had put United ahead. And then Luciano Narsingh made it 2-1 after the restart with a header on the counter.

Van Gaal insisted after the match that the former Southampton defender, who has been one of United's best players so far this season, could play again this season.

''I am not a doctor so I cannot say that but when you have a double leg fracture it is six months,'' the United manager said.

''He will not play in the group phase I think but I hope he can play again this season.''

If Shaw does come back in March, he would stand a chance of making England's Euro 2016 squad, which is good news for Roy Hodgson.

The England manager was unable to call upon Danny Welbeck, Daniel Sturridge, Jack Wilshere, Jordan Henderson, Fraser Forster, Adam Lallana and Ben Foster for the recent matches against Switzerland and San Marino because of their respective battles with injury.

Shaw's team-mates rallied around the young left-back, offering him messages of support on social media.

Captain Wayne Rooney, who missed the trip to Eindhoven because of a hamstring injury, posted on Instagram: "Gutted for my teammate @lukeshaw23. Wishing you a speedy recovery mate, keep positive!"

Goalkeeper David De Gea tweeted: "Defeat hurts, but @LukeShaw23's injury hurts even more. We hope you come back even stronger!"

Winger Ashley Young wrote: "Very disappointing night for us. Wish @LukeShaw23 a speedy recovery, gutted for you, stay strong mate."

Daley Blind admitted he and his United team-mates were shocked by the gruesome injury but said they should not use that as an excuse for the defeat, which put PSV joint top of Group B along with Wolfsburg, who beat CSKA Moscow 1-0 on Tuesday.

"It's something you may not actually be influenced by at that time," the United defender said.

"But you can be unaware, perhaps in your head, that you subconsciously sympathise with him.

"But it's a defeat and saying this should not pass the buck. It's a massive blow if such person incurs an injury.

"We are a strong team unit so it cuts into you. Maybe it gets into your heads but you have to let it pass.

"We played well in the first half. We created many chances and had the opportunity to decide the game. In the second half we didn't create a lot and they eventually benefited from an error by us.

"We had enough chances, but failed to finish it."

Hector Moreno wants to see Luke Shaw back in action as soon as possible

Hector Moreno has apologised to Luke Shaw for breaking his leg, but the PSV defender insists he should not have been penalised for the tackle that has sidelined the Manchester United defender for six months.

Shaw spent Tuesday night in an Eindhoven hospital after suffering a double fracture of his right leg in United's 2-1 defeat at the Philips Stadion.

In the 15th minute of the Champions League group stage match, Moreno slid in from behind on Shaw with both feet, trapping the 20-year-old's right foot, which bent at an angle, indicating the leg had been broken.

Incredibly, the Mexican was not punished for the challenge, which occurred in the home box.

Shaw left the field in tears, and it was clear the man who tackled him was affected by the incident too.

"I feel really sorry," the PSV defender said. "I just feel really bad because I was involved in the accident."

United manager Louis van Gaal condemned the tackle after the match, but his opposite number Phillip Cocu insisted his defender was not a dirty player.

When asked whether he thought he had committed a foul when he challenged Shaw, Moreno said: "I think not. I think I played the ball, but in this kind of situation I don't care if it was a foul, I feel bad for him, and for his family.

"I don't know how bad it is, but I had myself a situation like that during the World Cup and it's bad.

"It's difficult to say what happened. Now I just hope he will be back as soon as possible."

Shaw is expected to fly back to Manchester either on Wednesday afternoon with the squad or the day after. He will then have an operation on the leg.

The United and England left-back tweeted on Tuesday night: "Thank you everyone for your messages, words can't describe how gutted I am, my road to recovery starts now. I will come back stronger."

Van Gaal insists the former Southampton defender, who has been one of United's best players so far this season, could play again this season.

"I am not a doctor so I cannot say that but when you have a double leg fracture it is six months," the United manager said.

"He will not play in the group phase I think but I hope he can play again this season."

If Shaw does come back in March, he would stand a chance of making England's Euro 2016 squad, which is good news for Roy Hodgson.

Moreno, meanwhile, reflected on a momentous night for PSV.

Moreno nodded in a corner in first half injury time after Memphis Depay had put United ahead.

And then Luciano Narsingh made it 2-1 after the restart with a header on the counter.

"We knew it would be a difficult game," Moreno said.

"We did not have the ball the most of the time. We knew they would have it so we had to play smart.

"A win like this helps us to gain confidence."

United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward visited Shaw at the St Anna Ziekenhuis hospital on the outskirts of Eindhoven on Wednesday morning ahead of the squad's flight home.

Double trouble for Manchester United in Champions League opener

Manchester United suffered a double blow on another bad night for English football in the Champions League.

United fell to a surprise 2-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in a Group B game overshadowed by a terrible first-half injury to Luke Shaw.

The England left-back suffered an horrific suspected broken leg after Mexican defender Hector Moreno caught him with a late two-footed challenge. Shaw was carried off on a stretcher while receiving oxygen eight minutes later.

United did take the lead when Memphis Depay struck a fine goal against his old club but Moreno equalised on the stroke of half-time and Luciano Narsingh grabbed a 57th-minute winner before Louis van Gaal's side ran out of attacking ideas.

Manchester City fared little better as they surrendered a lead to lose their Champions League Group D opener 2-1 to Juventus, the Italian champions' first win in England since 1996.

City looked in control at the Etihad Stadium after taking a controversial 57th-minute lead when Giorgio Chiellini turned the ball into his own net under pressure from Vincent Kompany.

City passed up several chances to double their lead and last season's finalists turned the tie on its head through Mario Mandzukic's 70th-minute equaliser and an Alvaro Morata stunner 11 minutes from time.

City's next Champions League test in two weeks' time is away to Borussia Monchengladbach and the German side will be seeking to recover from a 3-0 defeat at Sevilla.

The Spaniards were awarded three second-half penalties, converting two of them, after a goalless first period.

Kevin Gameiro scored one and missed one before earning another spot-kick which was converted by Ever Banega. Ukraine winger Yevhen Konoplyanka wrapped up the victory six minutes from time with his first goal for the club.

United's next opponents Wolfsburg - the German side visit Old Trafford on September 30 - will head to Manchester with three points already in the bag after their 1-0 home victory over CSKA Moscow.

Julian Draxler, signed as a replacement for Manchester City's new signing Kevin De Bruyne last month, settled the contest five minutes from half-time after CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev had saved his initial effort.

Cristiano Ronaldo hit a second-half hat-trick as Real Madrid brushed aside 10-man Shakhtar Donetsk 4-0 in Group A at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Karim Benzema put Real ahead in the 30th minute and Ronaldo made Shakhtar pay for the dismissal of midfielder Taras Stepanenko for a second yellow card five minutes after the re-start.

Ronaldo dispatched two penalties in eight second-half minutes before grabbing his third goal nine minutes from time as Real made light of the first-half loss of Wales forward Gareth Bale with a calf injury.

Former Real star Angel Di Maria was also on target in Group A as Paris St Germain beat Malmo 2-0 at home.

The former Manchester United winger's last club goal came at Yeovil in an FA Cup tie in January but he ended an eight-month wait to find the net four minutes in and Edinson Cavani sewed up victory just after the hour mark.

Antoine Griezmann struck twice in the first half as Atletico Madrid made an ideal start to their Group C campaign with a 2-0 victory at Galatasaray.

The France forward fired Atletico in front after 18 minutes and he doubled their lead seven minutes later by poking home Diego Godin's headed knock down.

Benfica opened their Group C campaign with a 2-0 win over Kazakh new boys Astana in Lisbon.

Astana - a club only founded six years ago - became the first Kazakh side to play in the group stages of the Champions League but second-half goals from Nicolas Gaitan (51) and Kostas Mitroglou (62), the Greek striker on loan from Fulham, gave Benfica victory.

Shaw visibly upset following two-footed challenge from Hector Moreno - Van Gaal

Luke Shaw was left in tears after breaking his leg in two places during Manchester United's 2-1 defeat to PSV, but manager Louis van Gaal believes the left-back could still play again this season.

Shaw was the victim of an ugly two-footed challenge from Hector Moreno in the 15th minute of United's Champions League group stage loss in Eindhoven.

The 20-year-old was left in agony on the turf at the Philips Stadion following the tackle - which went unpunished - and he was carried off the pitch on a stretcher while receiving oxygen.

Van Gaal looked visibly upset when he tapped the England defender on the shoulder as he was taken away down the tunnel to hospital.

And after the match, the United boss was upset by events in his homeland.

"He has a double leg fracture," Van Gaal said.

"He is in hospital. He will be transferred (to the UK) tomorrow with us or maybe a day later and then operated on in Manchester

"It is awful. He was crying."

Van Gaal was clearly unhappy with the challenge, but refused to condemn the Mexican defender, who played for him at AZ.

"If I say it is a penalty and a red card I am a bad loser, every word is interpreted in the wrong way," he said.

"But it was a very bad tackle with two legs."

PSV coach Phillip Cocu defended Moreno.

"The intention was not to injure the opponent," he said.

Shaw took to Twitter to thank the fans who had wished him a speedy recovery.

Shaw said: "Thank you everyone for your messages, words can't describe how gutted I am, my road to recovery starts now, I will come back stronger."

Van Gaal hopes that road to recovery is not a long one.

At first sight, it seemed certain Shaw's season - and his chances of playing in the European Championship next summer - were over.

But Van Gaal still harbours hope the England international will play again this season.

"I am not a doctor so I cannot say that, but when you have a double fracture it is I think until six months," he added.

"It is about how it develops. You can never say that in advance.

"He will not play in the group phase I think. I hope he can play again this season."

It was a wretched night on the whole for Van Gaal, whose terrible run at the Philips Stadion continued.

The former Ajax and AZ coach won twice in 10 attempts during his coaching career in Holland - now he has tasted defeat there on his first Champions League group stage outing with United.

United took the lead thanks to an exquisite solo goal from PSV old boy Memphis Depay, but the hosts hit back through Moreno, who headed in a corner after losing Matteo Darmian in the box.

After the restart, Luciano Narsingh headed in after drifting away from Shaw's replacement Marcos Rojo in the box.

Juan Mata, Depay and surprise starter Anthony Martial were all guilty of spurning opportunities during the Group B match in Holland.

"We can only blame ourselves because we have created so many chances," Van Gaal said.

"Today we could have scored much more than that but PSV were very effective because they scored out of nothing."

Luke Shaw injured as Manchester United lose Champions League opener in Holland

Luke Shaw suffered an horrific suspected broken leg as Manchester United's return to the Champions League ended in a disappointing 2-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven.

Luciano Narsingh and Hector Moreno found the net as the Dutch champions recorded a narrow triumph over United in their first Champions League match in 17 months.

But Moreno should not have been on the pitch to head PSV level after Memphis Depay's opener.

With 15 minutes gone, the Mexican slid in with a late two-footed challenge on Shaw in the box.

The England defender was carried off on a stretcher while receiving oxygen eight minutes later. Disturbing replays showed Shaw's right foot bent at a 45-degree angle, which meant he had surely broken it.

Incredibly, referee Nicola Rizzoli did not award a penalty and Moreno was allowed to equalise Depay's stunning solo opener with a header.

Then, just before the hour, Narsingh took advantage of some slack marking from Shaw's replacement Marcos Rojo to finish off a counter attack and give the hosts an historic win that gives them an early advantage in Group B.

Depay was in the mood to show his former employers what they were missing. The Dutchman received a pass from Daley Blind, skipped past Santiago Arias and Jeffrey Bruma before slotting the ball through the legs of PSV goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet.

Any celebrations were short-lived, however, as PSV equalised five minutes later. Moreno shrugged off Matteo Darmian to head in Maxime Lestienne's corner.

The game turned full circle as PSV took the lead after half-time. Lestienne was the provider again. He latched on to a crisp volleyed pass from Andres Guardado and floated a ball over Rojo's head for Narsingh, who nodded in.

Wayne Rooney will miss Manchester United's clash with PSV through injury

Manchester United have confirmed captain Wayne Rooney will miss Tuesday's Champions League game against PSV.

United fly out to Holland on Monday afternoon ahead of their first Champions League group stage match, but Rooney will not be on the plane.

The United forward suffered a hamstring injury last week and was not among the 20-strong party for the trip to Eindhoven listed on United's website on Monday morning.

Speaking after Saturday's 3-1 win over Liverpool, which Rooney also missed, manager Louis van Gaal had said: "I don't want to take any risks with our captain. He is much too important for our team.

"I don't think he shall play against PSV. It is a minor injury and I believe he shall play against Southampton (on Sunday)."

Van Gaal must decide whether to stick with Marouane Fellaini, who started up front against Liverpool, or bring goal-scoring debutant Anthony Martial into the starting line-up.

Another alternative is 19-year-old striker James Wilson, who has been named in the travelling party for the game at the Philips Stadion.

David de Gea has been included in the squad after he was brought in from the cold for the win over Liverpool.

Brazilian midfielder Andreas Pereira, who signed for United from PSV four years ago, has overcome his injury troubles and is included in the squad.

Phil Jones is still absent as he continues his recovery from thrombosis.

Michael Carrick wants positive start to Champions League campaign

Michael Carrick wants Manchester United to lay down an early marker in their Champions League campaign with victory over PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday.

After a 17-month break, United will return to Champions League action on Tuesday when they travel to PSV.

United's failure to qualify for Europe's top club competition under David Moyes cost them ranking points and they were seeded second in the group stage draw last month.

PSV were the top seeds, so Tuesday's game at the Philips Stadion is, on paper, the toughest contest Louis van Gaal's men will face in Group B.

But rather than see that as a negative, Carrick views Tuesday's game as a chance to get off to a good start in the group.

"It's a tough start but in some ways it's not a bad thing," the midfielder told Inside United.

"If we can go there and get a good result that will set us up nicely.

"We are fully confident and quite positive about how it can turn out for us."

There are plenty of sub-plots to the game in Holland.

Memphis Depay will make his first return to the Philips Stadion just a couple of months after ending his successful nine-year spell with PSV.

Van Gaal brought PSV coach Phillip Cocu to Barcelona in 1998 before making him the captain during his first stint in charge of Holland two years later.

Carrick believes that will only add more significance to an occasion that is already of high importance to both sets of fans.

"The manager will know all about PSV and of course Memphis will still be popular there," said the United midfielder, who played both legs of the club's play-off win against Club Brugge recently.

"Obviously there are big links there, so I am not surprised the draw came out. A lot will be made of it I am sure but it will be a good game for us."

PSV have experienced a summer of upheaval since they won their first Eredivisie in seven years.

Depay, the league's top scorer last term, joined United for £25million and influential midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum left for Newcastle.

Mexican duo Hector Moreno and Andres Guardado have been drafted in, as well as Uruguayan midfielder Gaston Pereiro.

In theory, a group containing PSV, Wolfsburg and CSKA Moscow should not prove problematic for the three-time European champions, but Morgan Schneiderlin does not believe it will necessarily be a walk in the park for him and his United team-mates.

"They are three very good teams," the Frenchman said.

"People may look at the group and think it will be easy for Manchester United because we have avoided the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Of course it could be worse but these are three very good teams."

Manchester United include David De Gea in European plans

David De Gea looks set to be given a chance to resurrect his Manchester United career after being included in Louis van Gaal's Champions League squad - with compatriot Juan Mata backing him to remain professional.

The Spain goalkeeper has yet to feature for the Red Devils this season as manager Van Gaal said he was not in the right frame of mind to play while a transfer to Madrid remained a possibility.

But as the Spanish transfer deadline closed on Monday night, an issue with paperwork meant a deal did not happen and it leaves De Gea at Old Trafford until January at the earliest.

Should De Gea play in the group stage, he would be cup-tied should Madrid revive their interest in the winter transfer window as both clubs continue to blame one another for not getting a deal over the line.

He will be challenging fellow goalkeepers Sergio Romero and Sam Johnstone as United face PSV Eindhoven, CSKA Moscow and Wolfsburg on their return to European competition - with Victor Valdes missing out on the squad.

Romero has been an ever-present so far for the Red Devils but, now De Gea will be at the club until at least the turn of the year, team-mate Mata has backed his fellow countryman to act professionally.

"He seems the same as ever to me, calm and relaxed," said Mata ahead of Spain's Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovakia.

"It's been a manic few days for him, he's my friend and I'm there for him for whatever he needs. Right now he's focused on the two upcoming games for the national team; being here will do him good and he's going to be as professional as he has been throughout his career.

"His personality will help him. He manages to play even better in moments of maximum pressure and stress. His personality will help him on and off the pitch.

"His hunger and professionalism are intact. We all know what a great goalkeeper he is and he would make any team in the world better. The fans will get behind him and so will the team."

Another name included in the squad is new signing Anthony Martial, as well as United's other five summer signings Romero, Matteo Darmian, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay.

The 19-year-old moved to Old Trafford from Monaco on transfer deadline day for an initial fee of £36million - making him the most expensive teenager in history.

Martial, who has linked up with the senior France squad for the first time having scored four times in 12 under-21 caps, adds much-needed competition to Van Gaal's attacking options but revealed he has not been assured of his preferred central role, a position currently occupied by United skipper Wayne Rooney.

"He (Van Gaal) asked me my preferred position," Martial said at a press conference ahead of France's clash with Portugal on Friday.

"I prefer to play in the centre but he told me I could play in a number of positions - it is the coach who decides but whatever position I play, I will do the best I can.

"Since I was young people have told me I have the right characteristics to play in England and I'm really keen to develop my game in the English (Premier League)."

Having scored 15 goals in 70 appearances for Monaco, Martial insists he is not concerning himself with his record-breaking price tag.

"I don't know if I'm worth 80million euros but I don't worry about the sums," he said.

"I'm going there for the football side of things, the price is between the two clubs and I don't see myself under any pressure."

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney says he never doubted his ability

Wayne Rooney fired Manchester United into the Champions League with a hat-trick and then claimed he never doubted he would find his scoring touch again.

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."

Van Gaal handed Herrera his first start of the season in Bruges and the Spaniard did not let his manager down.

He laid Rooney on for his third goal and added the team's fourth with a calm finish following a brilliant through-ball by Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Van Gaal was reluctant to praise the former Athletic Bilbao man, who was far more effective when playing in the number 10 position following Adnan Januzaj's withdrawal at half-time.

"He started not so good," said Van Gaal, who watched Javier Hernandez spurn a chance to score a fifth from the penalty spot late on.

"He had a lot of ball losses and also a yellow card, so at that moment I wanted to change him, but then I saw he was coming back.

"And after that moment he plays a good match on the 'double six' position, but later on at 10 he was better. So I'm very pleased also for him."

Rooney, meanwhile, is looking forward to leading the club in Europe's biggest club competition after a painful one-year hiatus.

''To go through to the group stage after being out of it last year is a great result. We look forward to the draw now tomorrow,'' the striker said.

''It was a big disappointment last year not to challenge in it. We didn't think it would be as comfortable as it was, but it was vital we went through any way we could.

''Over the two legs we deserved that. We'll enjoy the draw and it is nice to be back in there again.''

Club Brugge coach Michel Preud'homme was impressed by United's display.

He said: "This team has everything -- technical quality, physical quality in power and endurance, and of course they have the mentality."