Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney said the club’s failure to win the title last season inspired them to glory in the current campaign.
Alex Ferguson’s men clinched the 2012-13 Premier League title after coasting to a 3-0 success against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Monday.
It came less than a year after the club’s rivals, Manchester City, scored two injury time goals on the final day of the season to defeat QPR 2-1 and claim a stunning title success.
That incredible triumph saw United miss out on the title on goal difference only, and Rooney believes that hurt provided the motivation to win the club’s 20th English league championship.
“When you lose the title it is hard to take and the way we did it was not a nice feeling,” Rooney told The Sun.
“We dug deep and worked hard together, the squad did fantastic to put ourselves in the position we were in and thankfully we finished off the job.
“We said last year we’d bought a lot of young players in. They have that experience now and this year they have been fantastic.”
The 27-year-old played a key role in midfield during United’s easy win over Villa and provided the assist for hat-trick hero Robin Van Persie’s spectacular second goal.
And despite rumours indicating that Rooney may be set to leave Manchester at the end of the season, the England international insisted he was happy to remain with the newly-crowned champions.
“The manager has a great desire and winning mentality that spreads to the players. We all buy into it and want to do well for the club,” he said.
“It’s been a great season for me. We’ve won the title and that’s what you play for – to win trophies. I’m delighted.”
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