Wayne Rooney insists he has quality and experience in abundance to provide to Manchester United for the end of the season. Wayne Rooney insists he has quality and experience in abundance to provide to Manchester United for the end of the season.

Wayne Rooney insists he has quality and experience in abundance to provide to Manchester United for the end of the season.

United, who are fighting for the top four in the Premier League and also Europa League glory, have lost striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to a knee injury for the rest of this season, giving Rooney a chance to step in.

Rooney started for the first time since March in the 2-0 win at Burnley on Super Sunday, and during a sit-down with Sky Sports' Geoff Shreeves before Thursday's Manchester derby, the 31-year-old was adamant he can play at the top level for another three years at least.

Rooney returned to the starting XI with a goal on Super Sunday

He said: "I feel I can contribute quality, composure, experience, and know-how, how to get over the line, whether it's to win the league or finish top four or get to the final. That's a lot of experience I can contribute to the team.

"Of course it's good to be back. I want to be back playing, and hopefully between now and the end of the season and leave a mark on the games I play."

Asked if he can still play at the top for another two or three years, Rooney replied: "Yes. Even longer I think. Everyone mentions that age, I'm 31, not an old person. Of course, I've played a lot of games.

"Who knows, not playing so many games this season might benefit me."

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been ruled out until the end of the season

Several obituaries have been written on Rooney in recent years, but the United captain insists he has kept his head down, trained hard and waited for his chances under Jose Mourinho.

He remains willing to fight for his chance, but also respects the opinions of all those who have written him off.

Rooney said: "I think that's happened for the last few years. All I can do is keep working, keep trying to prove people wrong. I work hard in training, and I just have to wait and get my chance, as I did against Burnley.

Geoff Shreeves sat down with Wayne Rooney ahead of the Manchester derby - watch the full interview on Thursday from 7pm on Sky Sports 1

"I know I'm good enough to play at the top level. People have their opinions, which I respect, and I have mine."

Regarding his future at Manchester United specifically, Rooney was again tight-lipped about the next chapter in his glittering career, and remains focused on the remainder of the season.

"I think I answered that question in February," he added. "My focus at the minute is helping us reach the Europa League final, and to win it, and help us get to the top four. That's my focus at the minute.

2:41 Match highlights Burnley 0-2 Man Utd Match highlights Burnley 0-2 Man Utd

"I think I've got a lot to offer, and as I keep saying, I'm looking forward to these next few games, get a few under my belt, and get to where I want to be at the end of the season and see what happens there."

Watch the full Wayne Rooney interview with Geoff Shreeves before the Manchester derby on Sky Sports 1 on Thursday from 7pm.