Wayne Rooney: Manchester United beating Liverpool title record is more special because I am an Everton supporter

Striker reveals he has been practising penalties all week and admits winning the title is a "great feeling" for the team, the fans and the whole club

EPL : Wayne Rooney, Blackburn Rovers v Manchester United

Wayne Rooney has admitted that winning a record 19th league title with Manchester United, and overtaking Liverpool's record, is more special to him because he is a boyhood Everton supporter.

The striker, who scored the penalty to claim a point against Blackburn, which took the trophy back to Old Trafford came through the academy at Goodison Park before moving to Old Trafford.

And having played for Liverpool's two biggest rivals through his career, he believes overtaking their number of league titles means a great deal to him.

"Of course, for me personally being an Everton fan, to win the Premier League 19 times, for the whole team, for the fans, the whole club it's a great feeling for us," he told Sky Sports.

"Winning the Premier League is an incredible feeling, to get that 19^th title, most successful English team to win the Premier League, it's a great feeling for all of us."

It has been a remarkable season for Rooney who handed in a transfer request early in the season only to subsequently pledge his future to the club, before scoring the goal that sealed the title.

Rooney, though, was just relieved that he was able to help his team-mates secure the point that they so desperately wanted.

He added: "I've had my ups and downs, but that penalty was great for the team and helped us to win the league.

Wayne Rooney Dedicates Key Penalty To United Players And Fanz

Wayne Rooney (centre) celebrates with his Manchester United team-mates

Wayne Rooney admitted to being "terrified" before he took the penalty that won Manchester United their 19th league title at Blackburn.

Needing just a point to clinch the prize at Blackburn, United trailed to Brett Emerton's first-half goal before Rooney levelled from the spot.

"I was terrified, the ref took a long time to give it," Rooney told Sky Sports 2 afterwards.

"I had to compose myself, I'd been practising all week."

Making reference to his transfer request and contract dispute earlier in the season, Rooney added: "After the year I've had, with the ups and downs, this is for the fans and the team."

United's 19th title is one more than Liverpool, and former Everton striker Rooney said: "For me personally, being an Everton fan, to win a 19th title is special."

Ryan Giggs, winning his 12th title, said: "It's a tough league to win and it's still as special as ever.

"We have the desire and it's a pleasure to play in this team. We want to win trophies."

Asked if he was concerned with the criticism that United's current team does not compare to others in their history, Giggs added: "We're champions and in the Champions League. We're rubbish aren't we?

"Twenty years ago we were nowhere near Liverpool. It's great credit to the club, the manager and the players and it's a good feeling to be ahead of our greatest rivals.

Twenty-two goal striker Dimitar Berbatov, out of the side in recent weeks, said: "A second title for me is great. I scored many goals this season and helped the team win it. I'm still the leading goalscorer."

United great Gary Neville, now working in the media following his retirement earlier in the season, said: "These are the moments you live for. They will have the best night of their lives."

England defender Rio Ferdinand added: "We missed out last year by a point and it was here we pretty much lost the league (with a 0-0 draw) so it was nice to come back here and get it done.

"We gave away a soft goal but we persevered and got our rewards. To get it done this week makes it easier for the manager, I'm sure.

"It's a better league this year, teams have been beating each other from the bottom to the top which makes it more exciting for the fans."

Ferdinand has endured a tough time with injuries over recent seasons and added: "I'm delighted, it's been a hard couple of years being out but if you work hard you get your rewards."

Report: How The League Was Won By United

A full month-by-month review of the twists and turns in the hunt for the title…

AugustChelsea start with a bang as the champions win their first two games 6-0 (against West Brom and Wigan) while United, who win both home fixtures, are pegged back at Fulham after Nani misses a penalty and Brede Hangeland claims an equaliser. Arsenal need a late leveller at Liverpool in their opener but then also hit six against newly-promoted Blackpool.Month-end positions: 1.Chelsea played 3 / points 9, 2.Arsenal 3/7, 3.United 3/7.

SeptemberCarlo Ancelotti’s side continue to look the part with comfortable wins over West Ham and Blackpool but come unstuck in their first really testing fixture away to City. United can only draw entertaining matches at Everton and Bolton but get the better of Liverpool in a five-goal thriller. The Gunners concede a last-gasp Darren Bent leveller at Sunderland and are then surprisingly beaten 3-2 at home by West Brom. 1.Chelsea 6/15, 2.United 6/12, 3.Arsenal 6/11.

OctoberWest Brom do more damage with a draw at Old Trafford but the Reds finish the month strongly by seeing off Stoke and Tottenham. Chelsea extend their lead at the top with an important win against Arsenal but are held to a goalless draw at Villa Park. Arsene Wenger’s team, bounce back from the Stamford Bridge setback to record three straight wins and climb above United in the table. 1.Chelsea 10/25, 2. Arsenal 10/20, 3.United 10/20.

NovemberThere’s a real change at the top as United pounce with three home wins, including a 7-1 battering of Blackburn. Draws at City and Aston Villa don’t prove too costly as Chelsea pick up only one win all month and lose three times, including 3-0 at home to Sunderland. Arsenal crash at home to Newcastle and Spurs to show cracks of their own. 1.United 15/31, 2.Chelsea 15/29, 3.Arsenal 15/29.

DecemberThe snow brings a number of postponements, including United’s date at Chelsea, to leave City level on points at the top with United going into 2011. The Reds remain unbeaten after Ji-sung Park’s header accounts for Arsenal but concede a controversial late equaliser at Birmingham. The Gunners exact revenge against Chelsea with a 3-1 triumph but have to settle for a 2-2 draw at Wigan in their next outing. A narrow 1-0 victory against Bolton is the only win of the Christmas period for last season’s Double winners. 1.United 18/38, 3.Arsenal 19/36, 4.Chelsea 19/34.

JanuaryFour wins out of five games proves a great haul for United with a draw at Spurs also considered a good result. The comeback win at Blackpool in a rearranged fixture is vital for keeping Sir Alex’s side on track for glory. Arsenal are starting to look the biggest threat as Wenger’s team fail to concede a goal throughout the month, despite being held by City at the Emirates. Dropped points at home to Villa and a shock defeat at Wolves  sees Chelsea lose further ground. 1.United 23/51, 2.Arsenal 23/46, 4.Chelsea 23/41.

FebruaryUnited’s unbeaten record is finally ended at Wolves but the response is positive with Wayne Rooney’s wonder-goal settling the Manchester derby and Wigan hit for four at the DW Stadium. Arsenal collect 10 points from 12 but should have a full house after incredibly surrendering a 4-0 lead at Newcastle. Chelsea slip to fifth, albeit with games in hand on their rivals, following a home reverse to Liverpool and goalless draw at neighbours Fulham. 1.United 27/60, 2.Arsenal 27/56, 5.Chelsea 26/45.

MarchThe league is blown open as the Reds lose tough away games at Chelsea and Liverpool but Dimitar Berbatov’s late winner for ten-man United against Bolton is priceless. Arsenal fail to really capitalise with draws against Sunderland and West Brom but Chelsea, galvanised by the 2-1 success over United, end the month with maximum points after defeating Blackpool and City. 1.United 30/63, 2.Arsenal 29/58, 3.Chelsea 29/54.

AprilUnited show title-winning form at the perfect time with three wins and a draw at Newcastle but it’s not easy as a two-goal deficit needs to be overturned at West Ham and Javier Hernandez leaves it late to sink Everton. A draw at Stoke looks to have ended Chelsea’s challenge but five wins on the spin propels the Blues back onto United’s coat-tails while Arsenal stutter badly with Blackpool their only three points and a defeat at Bolton virtually seals their fate. 1.United 34/73, 2.Chelsea 35/70, 3.Arsenal 34/64.

MayA May Day defeat for United at the Emirates leaves everything in the melting pot again but Sir Alex’s charges pull out all the stops to triumph 2-1 in what is effectively a title decider against Chelsea at Old Trafford. Ancelotti concedes his team’s hold on the trophy is over and Arsenal’s 3-1 loss at Stoke on the same day rules the North Londoners out of the running. Six days after beating the Blues, the Reds wrap up title 19 by drawing 1-1 at Blackburn.

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Park Ji Sung Key Against Barcelona

With the chance to exorcise the demons from Rome looming on the horizon, Sir Alex is going to have a selection headache for the Champions League decider on May 28th.

It would be fair to say that due to his stellar season, Nani would find it difficult to find himself playing a substitute role for a third successive final, but the harsh reality of the situation is he will in all probability be warming the bench yet again.

Given that Valencia has returned to the squad, dare I say, in better form than he has ever expressed in a red shirt, it would be incomprehensible if he wasn't marauding the right wing come kick off. With the right berth tidily filled by the slick Ecuadorian, the role of left winger is up for grabs, Giggs, Nani and Park being the obvious candidates. Having been at the hub of a great team effort against Chelsea last weekend, Giggs has developed his game into playing a more central role for the benefit on the club, which suggests that the battle will be between Park and Nani.

Though in truth, and unfortunately for Nani, I can only see one possible outcome of the tussle. I believe Park will get the nod over the Portuguese flair man due to his ability to grab a game by the scruff of the neck and stop Barcelona playing their usual destructively delightful football, which in the likely absence of a match fit Darren Fletcher is a very useful commodity indeed.

United need to accept that they are going to have to surrender possession of the ball more often than they're accustomed to if they are to overcome the threat of Iniesta and Co in possession, and given his 'big-game' reputation Ji Sung Park is the man I believe can get under the Spaniards' feet and disrupt their style of play.

Park isn't renowned as a hard challenger which without doubt makes him even more suited to the role, because while the whole of the football world watched Barcelona's shameful antics turn 'el classico' into 'el travesty', Sir Alex will have been plotting their downfall by way of new tactics which don't allow the Barcelona players the chance to over simulate and dive.

Park's ability to nick the ball from players whilst staying on his feet, coupled with his ability to attack and feed the ball through to Hernandez and Rooney, stands him in the best possible stead to prove his credentials come final day.

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Schalke want Maarten Stekelenburg

Maarten Stekelenburg has emerged as a potential replacement for Manuel Neuer at Schalke.

Bayern Munich are set to land the Germany international and although they have failed to come to an agreement with Schalke so far, talkSPORT has been told that the clubs are still in negotiations and a move to the Allianz Arena will happen this summer.

It means Schalke will be in the market for a goalkeeper and Dutchman Stekelenburg is their preferred choice.

The Ajax goalkeeper, who starred for Holland at last summer's World Cup, is set to leave Amsterdam this summer.

And while Manchester United remain keen on Atletico Madrid's David De Gea - as talkSPORT revealed earlier in the season - Stekelenburg is the club's second choice if the deal for De Gea fails to materialise.

Spurs, mindful of Heurelho Gomes' propensity to drop a clanger or two, are also weighing up a move for the 28-year-old.

But Schalke hope to beat the Premier League pair to it by making an official bid for Stekelenburg once the Neuer deal has been sealed.