Wayne Rooney feels winning silverware this season is an important stage in the current Manchester United team's development.

Rooney insists the players are determined to ensure the season ends on a positive note and believes success this term would act as the perfect springboard for the future.

"We have a brilliant squad with a great mix of experienced players and young players who all have great ability and a real desire to win," the striker told this month's issue of Inside United.

"Being successful this season is really important because it would give us a great platform to kick on in the next few years. Once the young players get their first taste of silverware with the club they'll realise how good it feels and they'll want to keep doing it again and again. Hopefully they'll get to taste it this season."