Rooney ready for title defence + Hargreaves eager to face Juve

--- On Fri, 7/25/08, Manchester United <webmaster@manutd.com> wrote: ROONEY READY AND RARING TO GO Wayne Rooney had plenty to occupy his mind over the summer with his marriage to childhood sweetheart Coleen, but now he's back on United duty there's only one thing on his mind: retaining the Reds' two trophies. Rooney is preparing for the new season with the rest of the United squad out in South Africa. This weekend's two matches - Saturday's Vodacom Challenge final against Orlando Pirates and Sunday's clash with Portsmouth in Nigeria - will go a long way to readying the Reds to defend the Premier League and Champions League crowns. "It was really exciting coming back into the camp after winning two trophies last season," Rooney told MUTV. "But now we want to get back to playing competitive football matches and I can't wait for the season to start." But before the Reds can fully focus on that challenge, there's plenty of hard work to be done and tough matches still to play to get the players in top shape. The matches in South Africa have been no pushover, and clearly beneficial in boosting the players' match fitness. "We've had some tough games out here," added Wazza. "It's probably better for us that they have been tough, these games can only help us to prepare for the season.." Watch the full interview on MUTV's Countdown To Africa show at 18:30 BST Friday. See the Reds against Orlando Pirates and Portsmouth LIVE on MUTV and MUTV Online. ASK SIR ALEX: YOUR HOTLINE TO THE GAFFER Each month we put your questions to the boss in Inside United's exclusive column. This month, we spoke to Sir Alex about how pre-season training has changed since his days as a player... Your players go through a rigorous training schedule to get them fit for the new season. But how different is it to when you did pre-season training as a player? Tony Hollick, via email [Shakes his head] It's completely different to when I was a player. In my day, it was just running. You'd run your backside off! I remember being at Dunfermline and the manager would get in his car and drive off. The physio would then jog you about ten miles out of town to the top of a hill. We'd play a few games and do exercises with the medicine ball. Then they'd say, 'Right, back for lunch at half 12", and this was at about quarter to 12! The manager would sometimes drive behind us in the car to make sure none of us tried to thumb a lift back! You'd be in absolute agony. The next day you'd be getting out of bed bit by bit. You haul one leg out of bed first, then 30 seconds later the next leg… Your heels would be killing you with blisters. You just wouldn't believe the difference in modern day training. Another popular one back then was taking you through jaggy nettles, you'd be jumping out of the way trying to avoid getting stung, then you were up and down hills, over golf courses. This lot have it easy, they've got no idea! Read more from the boss in his regular Ask Sir Alex column in the latest issue of Inside United, on sale 2 August. Subscribe here. Got a question for the boss? Let's hear it. Send your question to redview@manutd.co.uk. UNITED V JUVENTUS: CELEBRATION TIME Owen Hargreaves can't wait to parade the Champions League and Premier League trophies in front of a packed Old Trafford when United take on Juventus next month. The Reds' final pre-season match on Wednesday 6 August is the perfect way to conclude summer preparations ahead of United's Double defence in 2008/09. Taking on Juventus at OT is a mouth-watering prospect on its own, but with the European Cup and Premier League trophies being paraded by the players before kick-off, it really is an unmissable event. It's a one-off chance for fans to take photos of the team with the hard-won silverware from 2007/08, and Hargreaves is looking forward to the game already. "This is an opportunity for the fans to see the lads and celebrate last season's Double," he says. "It's also a test for us. All pre-season games are about preparation for the new season, and Juve are a really top team. It'll be a challenge, they're a strong side and Italian teams are always tough." The trophy celebration and the game aren't the only attractions. The Manchester United Premier Cup Final, featuring some of the world's best under-15 players, takes place before the main match, which kicks off at 20:00 BST. Tickets to see the match and the trophy celebration are now on general sale, priced from £10 for adults and £5 for seniors, while all junior tickets are just £5. You can book tickets online or by calling 0161 868 8000. Hospitality packages are also available at £150 + VAT including a South Stand seat, 2-course chef's table and cash bar access. Call 0161 868 8000 (option 2 then 3).