Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has praised his boss Alex Ferguson as the Scot's 25th anniversary in charge of the Red Devils approaches.

Rooney, who signed for United from Everton in 2004, says that Ferguson's reputation played a significant role in his move.

"For me, he's a great manager and a great man. He is the reason I signed and a big reason why I'm still here," Rooney said.

"He has been in charge of United since I was one year old.

"All my childhood and growing up, you watched him on TV, doing interviews before and after games. Then to come and play for him is a great honour."

The 26-year-old also said that one of Ferguson's major strengths is his ability to motivate.

"Some of his team talks - you walk out on the pitch and you say to each other 'How good was that?'" Rooney added.

"For the British players who understand him, it is incredible. It's more difficult for the foreign lads to understand.

"But it gets you right up for the game and I don't really think that is something that can ever be replaced."

United will celebrate Ferguson's momentous anniversary with a Premier League home clash against Sunderland on Saturday.