That last-16 clash was the last time United lost a European tie at Old Trafford - going down 1-0 in both legs - but Rooney feels both he and United have since improved. "Since those games I've learnt a lot from playing with good players around me," he told United Review. "But it also helps just playing Champions League football regularly. "Back then it was my first year at United and I was finding my feet in a lot of ways. But now I am settled and playing much better football. I just hope I can help us do well and help the team get through. "We're a better team than two years ago. Then we missed too many chances, but I'm confident we'll take our chances tonight." As they prepare for their semi-final first leg, United are certainly stronger in attack than two years ago, but the well-documented problems lie in defence, with Sir Alex Ferguson's whole first-choice backline missing.