Wayne Rooney has admitted he misses Manchester United and wanted to end his career there - but insists he ended up leaving the club at the right time.

The 33-year-old is back in England and is set to make a final appearance for the Three Lions in a friendly against the United States on Thursday night.

Rooney won five Premier League titles during his time at United - as well as the Champions League, Europa League, the FA Cup and three League Cups.

He is also the club's all-time leading goalscorer having made 559 appearances for the Red Devils between 2004 and 2017.

Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Show all 18 1 /18 Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Breakthrough goal - 2002 Five days before his 17th birthday, Wayne Rooney scored a wonder goal against Arsenal in 2002 as the world realised his talent. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Switch to United - 2004 A £25.6m fee was soon agreed with Manchester United - despite interest from Newcastle - as Rooney switched Goodison Park for Old Trafford in 2004. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures On the international stage - 2004 It got better for the powerful striker when he scored four goals in as many matches at Euro 2004. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures The stunning goals continue - 2005 It wasn't long before Rooney had become a mainstay in Sir Alex Ferguson's United side, typified by his olley against Newcastle at Old Trafford. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures The red mist descends - 2006 Always a cantankerous player, Rooney's demons haunted him at the 2006 World Cup in Germany as he was sent off for a stamp against Portugal. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures First of many titles - 2007 Rooney had to wait until 2007 for his first taste of Premier League glory, scoring 14 goals as United lifted the title in 2008. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures European glory - 2008 A year later, Rooney was invaluable to Ferguson again as the north west outfit defeated Chelsea in Moscow on penalties to win the Champions League. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Controversy returns - 2010 As England struggled to a 0-0 draw against Algeria in South Africa, the former Everton striker told supporters exactly what he thought about them into camera. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures World Cup woe - 2012 Despite finally scoring for England at a World Cup in 2014, Rooney was unable to prevent a torrid group stage exit under Roy Hodgson in Brazil. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Contract talks - 2012 Rooney twice risked incurring the wrath of Ferguson during their time together, famously truning down a contract offer and threatening to leave until better terms were presented. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Success continues - 2013 In Ferguson's final season in charge, Rooney helped lift another Premier League title in 2013 alongside strike partner Robin van Persie. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Record breaker - 2015 In 2015, Rooney broke Sir Bobby Charlton's England goalscoring record with his 50th international goal from a penalty in a Euro 2016 qualifying match against Switzerland. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Switch to midfield - 2016 As Rooney began to age, then-United manager Louis van Gaal switched Rooney into midfielder where he helped the club lift the FA Cup in the Dutchman's last game in charge. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Mourinho era begins - 2017 Rooney lifts the League Cup trophy, the first major success under Jose Mourinho. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Record breaker, again - 2017 Rooney became United's all-time top goalscorer, beating Sir Bobby Charlton's long-standing record, after a last-gasp equaliser at Stoke City Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures European triumph - 2017 Rooney comes on in the closing minutes as United beat Ajax 2-0 to win the Europa League. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Return to Goodison - 2017 Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring against Stoke at Goodison Park, his first goal after returning to Everton (AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Retirement from international football - 2017 The England captain hangs up his boots in September 2017. "Every time I was selected as a player or captain was a real privilege and I thank everyone who helped me," he said. "But I believe now is the time to bow out." Getty

He fell down the pecking order at Old Trafford under Jose Mourinho, starting seven of the final 19 Premier League games of the season - returning to boyhood club Everton before a move to Major League Soccer side DC United followed this summer.

"Of course you miss it," he told MUTV of his time in Manchester. It was the highlight of my career, playing for Man United and I was there for so long. But it was the right time.

"I wasn't playing, first of all. I have always been a player who wants to play. Obviously I spoke to the manager and it didn't look like I was going to play, so it was the right decision and the right time for me to go.

"Obviously, you wish, the ideal situation was staying there and finishing your career there, but football changes. Different things happen and things happen for a reason."

Rooney's final United appearance was as a late substitute in the Europa League victory over Ajax - meaning he never got to say a proper goodbye to his former home.

"It would have been nice to have done it at Old Trafford," he added.

Rooney will make his 120th and final England appearance on Thursday night (Getty)

"But I have been back there a few times and I will be back over the Christmas period, at a game to watch them.

"I left with great memories. I had a new opportunity to go and play in the States. I had a great time at United, though, and again I am looking forward to going back and seeing a few of my team-mates, and a few friends from the staff who I have made along the way.