Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney eyes Liverpool bragging rights

The England striker has been hurting for the past three years after Rafael Benitez delivered the trophy to Anfield following a remarkable victory against AC Milan.

Now Rooney will get his chance on Wednesday in Moscow when United face Chelsea in the first all-English showdown in the final of Europe's top club competition.

It has been a long wait for the 22-year-old, born in Liverpool and raised as an Everton supporter.

He said: "It is difficult when you see one of your rivals winning things. When Liverpool took the trophy, it was hard to take.

"Because they haven't really been challenging for the league in the last few years, they've had chances to rest players before big Champions League games and that helped them.

"By Liverpool winning the Champions League, it's made us want to win it even more."

Rooney gets great pleasure teasing his pals from the Kop.

One such scenario unfolded nine years ago when United won the European Cup with a famous last-gasp victory against Bayern Munich in Barcelona.

He explained: "A few of us watched the match and most of my mates were Liverpool fans.

"It was just me and another pal who were Everton supporters. We wanted United to win and obviously they (my mates) didn't.

"When they won, I was really happy and we were winding the Liverpool fans up.

"I remember listening to the radio after the game and they were speaking to a lot of fans around Manchester.

"The atmosphere there sounded brilliant, so hopefully I can be involved in something like that this year."

That was the last time United won the trophy - they also lifted it in 1968.

Forty years on from Sir Matt Busby's triumph and 50 years after the Munich air disaster, the weight of history hangs heavily in the air.

Rooney, however, is inspired by the past, not fazed by it.

He said: "I don't think it will be a burden, we just need to go out there and try and enjoy ourselves.

"If we enjoy playing, I'm sure we will do well. If we go out there thinking a bit negative then it becomes harder.

"The players are well educated in the history of the club.

"When you walk around the training ground, you see the players from 1958, 1968 all the way through to today."

Rooney weighed in with 18 goals in a season that saw United retain their Barclays Premier League title.

While he was widely applauded for his work ethic and team play, he insists there is room for improvement.

He said: "I can score a few more goals, possibly with my left foot and a some more headers.

"I keep working on all different things, my passing, my fitness and scoring.

"I've changed my game a little bit. Instead of playing in the hole or off one forward, I've mainly been the striker looking to get in behind.

"I've enjoyed doing it this year - to be honest a lot more than I thought I would. It has brought me a few goals in different games."

Led by manager Sir Alex Ferguson, United will fly out to Russia tomorrow and Rooney is desperate for the match to get under way.

He said: "It's a horrible feeling waiting for the final. I'd like to go to bed tonight and wake up on Wednesday.

"It's a bit like Christmas when you're a kid, so I just can't wait.

"I've been playing FIFA on X-Box with my mates. My girlfriend's not too happy with me, but it keeps me occupied.

"I've played in three cup finals, winning one and losing two, so hopefully I can even that out."