Louis van Gaal's side defeated Belgian side Club Brugge in the first leg of their European qualifier and the striker believes it's imperative they see the job through
Wayne Rooney admits that Manchester United need to be in the Champions League to buy the best players in the transfer market.
United have embarked on a major spending spree this summer, acquiring the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay, but have missed out on a number of deals also.
Pedro snubbed United to join Chelsea, Nicolas Otamendi moved to Manchester City, while such stars as Neymar and Thomas Muller have been linked with moves to Old Trafford.
And, with United preparing to face Club Brugge in the second leg of their Champions League play-off, Rooney accepts that the club must qualify for the group stages if they are to buy marquee players.
“United are a massive club, but it depends on the player,” he is quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.
“When I joined, I said I wanted to join a club playing Champions League football.
“Obviously United still have a big pull in terms of the best players, but they will want to play Champions League football so it is important we qualify.”
United beat their Belgian opponents 3-1 in the first leg at Old Trafford, with Memphis netting a brace and Marouane Fellaini capping a fine victory, and Rooney admits that he missed playing in the competition in 2014-15.
“Obviously the money side is more for the businessmen at the club,” he added.
“For the players, it is about getting out there on the pitch and playing in the big games and trying to bring the big nights back to Old Trafford.
“It is important we finish the job off. I didn’t enjoy being sat at home watching the Champions League last season. It was weird.
“I still watched the games on TV. I had to watch. You have to watch the best teams in Europe because I enjoy football.
“But being back against Brugge was a great feeling. When you walk out and line up with the Champions League music playing, it really gives you a shiver.
“A club this size has to be in the Champions League.
“Last year we were disappointed and the most important thing for us is to make sure we qualify and get those special nights back here.”
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