Wayne Rooney is confident Carlos Tevez will pledge his long-term
future to Manchester United.
The Argentina international has indicated he would be keen to
stay on at Old Trafford when his loan deal expires next year.
'I don't see why that shouldn't happen,' said Rooney. 'Carlos
enjoys playing his football here. 'He's got his wife and child with
him, who don't live too far away from me. 'He's a nice quiet lad
who gets on with his job and he's enjoying his life.' In the space
of 12 months Tevez has gone from saving West Ham from relegation to
winning a Barclays Premier League title with United.
He has formed a good understanding with Rooney and the respect
is mutual ahead of the Champions League final against Chelsea in
Moscow on Wednesday. 'Carlos is a great player and works really
hard for the team.
I had no doubts at all we could play together,' said the England
striker. 'From his first day in training with us, you could see the
qualities he had. 'I couldn't wait to play alongside him.
He's been brilliant, he's a battler, he works so hard for the
team - it's been unbelievable.' It is a big time in Rooney's life,
both professionally and personally as he is due to marry Coleen
McLoughlin next month.
Beating Chelsea and getting a winners' medal would be a perfect
early gift, he admits. 'Yes, it will make the wedding a bit
better,' said Rooney. 'Of course, I'll enjoy the summer more if I
win. 'However it wouldn't be unbearable if we lost because you have
your football and your family life. 'They are two different things
and you can't really let it upset you too much. 'You've still got
people there around you and you don't want to be sitting around
grumpy. 'When I am with my family, football doesn't get mentioned
that much.'
United retained their Premier League title on the last day and
edged out Chelsea by two points. Rooney is well aware of the threat
posed by their league rivals, especially when it comes to striker
Didier Drogba. 'He's big, strong, he scores goals - left foot,
right foot, headers - at times he is unplayable,' said Rooney.
'Sometimes it seems as if his head's not quite right but when he's
at his best he's an unbelievable player. 'I hope it's like a
Premier League game, an open game and end to end. 'If Chelsea go
one up it is very difficult to get back at them as they are more
defensive than us. 'If we go one up, we'd keep trying to get a
second goal. That's the main difference between the teams. 'To win
the Champions League on the back of winning the league would be a
great achievement - we just have to go there to enjoy it.'