WAYNE ROONEY is still not happy Cristiano Ronaldo left Old Trafford last summer, claiming the Portuguese superstar is 'irreplaceable'.
The United striker has had to carry the burden of expectation now that Ronaldo plies his trade in Madrid rather than Manchester.
Incomparable duo
It is some game in which to make his 250th appearance for United in five years at the club. But he wishes he was still playing with Ronaldo by his side.
Birthday boy Rooney, 24 today, said: "I don't consider I was ever in Ronaldo's shadow but, no, I'm not happy he left the club and I don't think any of us are.
"I'd prefer him to still be in the team if I'm being honest.
"He's a brilliant player, irreplaceable, the best player in the world - so no one's happy he left."
Rooney says that, on the first day back for training after Ronaldo's departure, manager Alex Ferguson told him he had to up his goals rate.
The England star revealed: "The manager said he wanted me to score more goals - but then he tells me that every season. As the season goes on, if I am not scoring enough, he'll tell me I need to improve.
"And if I am scoring goals, he'll still tell me I need to improve. That's just how he is."
Rooney still keeps in touch with Ronaldo following his former team-mate's world record £80million move to the Bernabeu.
Some thought they would never speak again after the Portuguese international's part in Roo's red card in the 2006 World Cup quarter-finals.
But Rooney quickly patched things up with 'The Winker' and they went on to win three titles and the Champions League together.
Ronny and Rooney
Despite Ronaldo's absence, Rooney is still happy with United's form this season.
They go to Anfield tomorrow top of the table and all but certain of qualification for the next stage of the Champions League.
Rooney said: "It's funny because as soon as we got beaten at Burnley, people came out saying 'we're not as good as last season, we won't win the title, we'll be lucky to finish in the top four' and all that.
"It was laughable, we'd only lost one game. But then they've done it the last three seasons when we've won the league - the next season they've been straight out saying Chelsea are the favourites. I think because of United's dominance over the last couple of decades, a lot of people like to see us lose. We just have to get on with it."
Another linkup...another goal. Club World Championship 2008
Rooney said: "If I think someone can improve in a game I'll tell them, just as I expect they'll tell me if they think I'm not doing what I should or playing as well as I should.
"I think a bigger part of my game is trying to set an example by raising the tempo of the team.
"If things are a bit flat at Old Trafford, I'll chase about and try and get the crowd up a bit. Little things like that can make a massive difference."
Despite his seemingly fearless demeanour, Rooney will stand in the tunnel at Anfield tomorrow with nerves. But he believes the butterflies in his tummy help him fix his attention on exactly what he is going to do.
Rooney admitted: "I get nervous before every game, be it against Barcelona or Andorra or whoever.
"But it's not like uncontrollable nerves. It's more just running scenarios through my head, like what would I do if this happens, what will I do if that happens.
"But then as soon as I'm out there playing, it's gone and you're just playing on your instincts."
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The Manchester United striker faces a rough reception tomorrow when he returns to Liverpool - the club he served for eight years.
United boss Ferguson said: "I don't think it will bother Michael. Everyone wants to be liked but he's got the experience to handle it. It will be interesting to see what kind of reaction he gets.
"There have been very few players who have played for both clubs.
"Paul Ince got a bad reception from our fans when he joined Liverpool.
"Michael may well get that again on Sunday but it is difficult to say."
Owen, 29, was booed when he returned to Anfield with Newcastle in May and can expect twice the abuse now he plays for the Kop's most hated rivals.
But Ferguson believes the hotshot can ram the taunts back down the Liverpool fans' throats with a winning goal.
He is expected to come on as a sub in the Premier League clash and Fergie insists he is sharp enough to affect the outcome of the game.
The Old Trafford chief said: "He is capable of scoring in any type of match, including at the highest level. He has done that in his career."
Ferguson maintains Owen is still a master at beating the offside trap - just as he did in the closing seconds to win the Manchester derby.
The Scot added: "There is no one better at holding the line in the last third of the field. He is very seldom offside and that is down to his experience."
Owen remains the third top forward in Liverpool's history, boasting 258 goals in all competitions between 1996 and 2004.
And Fergie admitted: "The goals he scored mark him down as one of their best-ever strikers."
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