Manchester United's Wayne Rooney and Tom Cleverley eager to begin season as City lift Community Shield

STRONG FINISH: United win Chevrolet Cup

By Dean Wilkins

After being pushed to the brink by Hannover 96 and watching their noisy neighbours lift another piece of silverware that could have been theirs, Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney and Tom Cleverley are raring to go.

The Reds’ top scorer from last season played a central role in the 4-3 victory in Germany – scoring a superb free-kick and penalty – to win the Chevrolet Cup and cap off a fine pre-season for United.

And his England teammate Cleverley – rejoining United after inevitable spot-kick disappointment with Team GB at the Olympics – made a bright start in his first pre-season game as the DHL summer tour climaxed.

"It was end to end at times," Rooney said. "We probably were a bit sloppy and could've done better defending, but I thought some of the play throughout the game was great, some great link-up play between us.

"Thankfully we got the four goals, which we've maybe been lacking in pre-season and it's great to get them in this game with the season coming up.

"[Pre-season] has been a bit stop-start with the international players coming back a bit later, but I think tonight you've seen the players are looking better every game, fitter every game. Hopefully by next Monday against Everton we'll all be ready. Obviously it will be a difficult game."

Rooney will begin his Premier League campaign with a trip to face his former side at Goodison Park – but after scoring a brace and setting up new-boy Shinji Kagawa to seal the winner, the 26-year-old was left impressed with the team’s attacking force.

"It was great," said Rooney. "Obviously he's (Kagawa) a very clever player and with the likes of myself, Chicharito, Tom (Cleverley)... there are players there who are capable of getting on the ball and linking the play and it worked for us."

Cleverley said: "I've been away for a few weeks now but to come back into a good game in a good stadium and be playing with the world class players we've got only helps your game, so it's good to be back.

"I think the Olympics has been good for me. I've got six games under my belt including the two friendlies so I feel one hundred percent. I'm happy and looking forward to the season."

United’s assistant manager Mike Phelan was left delighted with his team’s performance, especially the return of Cleverley whose first full season with the club was tarnished with several injuries.

"I thought Tom looked very, very sharp," said Phelan. "He's played quite a few games for the British team so he's probably ahead of schedule in some respects.

"Ryan Giggs (who captained Team GB) probably needs to feel his way through it a little bit more, but Tom played a very, very good game for us tonight."

After pipping Hannover to the win, it was a different story at Villa Park where their noisy neighbours claimed the Community Shield with a convincing win over Chelsea, throwing down the gauntlet before the start of the Premier League this weekend.

And United will have to wait an extra day to get their season underway after their trip to Goodison Park is scheduled for Monday August 20.

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