Former Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson, has lavished praise on Wayne Rooney in his capacity as a director of the club.

The two men had a fractious relationship by the time Fergie retired at the end of last season.

Rooney was miffed that Fergie benched him for United’s Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, and had grown to consider him second-choice striker behind Robin van Persie.

And while Rooney had openly flirted with Chelsea, he was angered that Fergie told the media he had submitted an official transfer request, which United in fact acknowledged was not the case.

And so Fergie’s praise is being seen as an attempt to build a bridge with Rooney, to prolong the growing sense that the striker has a long and successful future at the club.

Speaking about the burly forward’s stellar display against Bayer Leverkusen this week, Fergie told MUTV: "Wayne's performance was fantastic, I was pleased to see that.

“He's got his energy back – the determination, his purpose to attack players, was all very encouraging to me.

“Being a director, I'm delighted to see that; he's back to what we always remember."

The jury is still out on whether the United juggernaut will maintain momentum without Fergie in control.

But in the potential relationship between Rooney and van Persie, Fergie sees evidence that the Red Devils remain a powerful force.

"We will have a fantastic chance [of success] because in Van Persie and Rooney, you have forwards who can win you games," he said.

Read: Rooney Scores But Is He Happy?

Read: RVP Loves Playing With Wazza

Read: Kompany v Wazza In The Manchester Derby