By Chris Charles

The 21-year-old striker told BBC Sport: "We're enjoying our football and we just want to win trophies.

"We've definitely got the talent, so I hope we can do that, but we're still learning and I think we're getting better each year."

United face Villa in the FA Cup on Saturday and are still in the hunt for all the major prizes.

Listen to the Rooney interview

They also have a two-legged Champions League tie with Lyon to look forward to, and lie two points behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League.

Rooney believes the blend of youth and maturity at the club could be a crucial factor in defending their league title.

606: DEBATE Can Manchester United sustain a challenge on all fronts? Chris Charles

He said: "We're a bunch of young lads just trying to win each game... but we've got a few experienced players as well - the likes of Scholesy, Giggsy and Gary Neville.

"Hopefully we can try to get ourselves to the top of the league and stay there.

"United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are all looking strong and I'm sure towards the end of the season we'll all be there or thereabouts, fighting for the top spot."

Since arriving from Everton for �20m in August 2004, Rooney has blossomed under the tutorship of Ferguson and he admitted he would be keen to remain at United for the rest of his career.

"I hope so, I love United," he said.

"I love playing for United, I love everyone at the club and all the fans - so hopefully, if everything goes right, I can do that."

Despite the wealth of talent at Old Trafford, Rooney believes the key to success lies with Sir Alex, a hugely popular figure among the players at Old Trafford.

He said: "To work under him is brilliant. He's a great manager, he's a nice fella and his mentality is to win, which is brilliant to see.

"But if we don't win, or we don't play well - and even when we win and we don't play well - he'll have a go at you and let you know - that'll never change!"

England fans were devastated by their Euro 2008 exit

United's healthy position going into the new year has proved the perfect tonic for Rooney as he contemplates kicking his heels during the summer, following England's failure to qualify for Euro 2008.

The striker, speaking at the launch of Coca-Cola Zero's 'Find the next Rooney' campaign - putting money into clubs' youth development - described the whole experience as a "nightmare" that had left the whole squad shattered.

"We're all deeply disappointed, especially to have the chance we had against Croatia and then to throw it away," he admitted.

Rooney, forced to watch the 3-2 defeat from the sidelines through suspension, added: "It's always frustrating in any game to be sat there when your team's not winning or whatever.

"But it was really frustrating to watch, especially the end, with the third goal. It was horrible. And it was a horrible last 10 minutes.