Wayne Rooney has insisted that the prospect of a season without Champions League football never deterred him from signing a new Manchester United contract.
The 28-year-old committed himself to the David Moyes regime on Friday by putting pen to paper on a four-year extension worth a reported £300,000 per week.
This agreement will keep Rooney at Old Trafford until 2019 and the England international is adamant that United will regain their place in Europe's top club competition if they do not qualify for it this season.
"It's not a massive concern for me," Rooney is quoted as saying on his official website. "This is because I know the direction that this club is going in, and if we don't make it this season then we will come back stronger and claim a Champions League spot next season.
"Let's not forget we still have a chance this year, some of the other teams are playing well but we have a strong squad here and if we have a positive end to the season then who knows what can happen."
United are currently seventh in the Premier League table, 11 points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool.
Joe Fish
