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Last Updated: Thursday, 20 December 2007, 08:10 GMT
England must win trophy - Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Rooney has 40 England caps
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney says it would be a "disaster" if he did not win a major trophy with England.

He is relishing the prospect of working with new national boss Fabio Capello and believes England can bounce back from the failure to reach Euro 2008.

But the 22-year-old frontman stated: "A country with the talent we've got as footballers, we should be up there challenging for the two main trophies.

"It would be a disaster to finish my career and not win a major tournament."

He added: "As a footballer, you want to be remembered as a winner. Hopefully before I retire I can say I've won a trophy with England."

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England's next objective is to reach the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

Capello's side have been drawn in a qualifying group that includes Croatia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Andorra.

"It was a big disappointment not qualifying for the Euros but now we've got to look forward to the World Cup," said Rooney.

"A country like ours, we can't go without qualifying for two major tournaments."

England's first game under Capello, who was appointed as Steve McClaren's successor last week, will be a friendly against Switzerland at Wembley on 6 February.

"It's always exciting when you get a new manager and you don't know whether he's going to change things, what he's going to be like, so I'm interested to meet him and work under him," said Rooney.

Hopefully we can win something for him and help him become a legend for England

Rooney on Capello

"I'm sure we will all be giving 110% for the new manager."

Capello's appointment has sparked criticism from the likes of Reading manager Steve Coppell, Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp and Paul Ince, who is at the helm of MK Dons. The trio believe the job should have gone to an Englishman.

But Rooney has no qualms with the decision to go for the 61-year-old Italian, who has won titles in Italy and Spain with AC Milan, Juventus, Roma and Real Madrid.

"His record is brilliant at club level, so I'm sure he can bring something extra to England," commented the striker, speaking at a www.sponsoredbyyou.com event in Altrincham.

"We want the best man for the job, who is going to try to help us win trophies.

"I think he was the best man. Hopefully we can win something for him and help him become a legend for England."



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