Wayne Rooney: Leverkusen star confused as to how Ryan Giggs is still playing at Manchester United

The United striker says he does not know how the Welshman is still going so strong as his team-mate approaches his 40th birthday on Friday

Still going strong: Rooney says he does not know how Giggs is still playing at 40.

Alex Livesey

Wayne Rooney revealed one of Bayer Leverkusen's players asked him DURING Manchester United's 5-0 drubbing just how Ryan Giggs is still playing at 40.

Giggs turns 40 on Friday but ran the midfield in United's emphatic Champions League win in Germany, which left at least one Leverkusen player dumbfounded by the Welshman.

Rooney said: "Ryan was fantastic. He's done it for years and I've run out of things to say about him.

“During the game, actually, their centre-half was asking 'how he is still playing at that age?'

"It's great to see him with his composure on the ball is fantastic.

“I don’t know how he's still doing it. I certainly won't be playing at that age, that's for sure!"

The England international, who set up three of United's five goals and had a hand in another, said the manner of their win sent out a significant message to the rest of Europe.

"I thought we played fantastically well with some great, powerful play and quick transitions," said Rooney. "We took our chances so it was a good performance.

"I think it's a great result, obviously, and once the score was 2-0, we really did well to kill the game off. So I'm sure teams will look at the result, but we'll focus on the next game.

"We need a point to finish top of the group so, while we're delighted with three points here, it's all important we try to get that point in the next game.

"It was disappointing to lose a goal towards the end at Cardiff to draw 2-2, and we didn't play as well as we can. So we're all delighted to come here, and put on a great performance, and are looking forward to playing Spurs on Sunday now."

in the absence of the injured Robin van Persie, Rooney played at the top of the United attack, with Shinji Kagawa just behind him, the pair producing some impressive link-up play.

"Shinji is a fantastic footballer so it's great for us," said Rooney. "He hasn't played much football but came in and played superbly. It's great to have players fighting for the positions."

On playing a part in so many of United's goals, Rooney said: "It's a team game and it's always great when you can help your team-mates score goals and, thankfully, I've done that.”