Wayne Rooney insists that Manchester United can win the Premier League this season despite having a rather underwhelming start under new boss Jose Mourinho.
The Red Devils have accumulated 14 points from their first eight games, two points fewer than what they had at this point last year under Loius Van Gaal, but Rooney maintains that the team is good enough to bring the glory days back at Old Trafford.
"I think we've got a great squad," the United captain said. "I said before the season we'd be challenging - we've still got that belief, even stronger after working with this manager and the players over the last few months.
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"I think we've got a fantastic squad, who are ready and capable of challenging," the striker added.
Tough run of fixtures
Jose Mourinho’s men are in the middle of a challenging fortnight currently as they prepare to face Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday night before traveling to Stamford Bridge on Sunday to face Chelsea.
Manchester United earned a hard-fought point from a goalless draw against Liverpool on Monday to stop Jurgen Klopp’s five-match winning streak. Though United’s performance drew criticism from many quarters in the way they approached the game, Rooney believes that it was the right way to go and it will take some time to adapt to the new manager’s philosophy in totality.
"It is a different way of playing, but I think if you're an individual it is easy to get [the old style of play] out of your head and learn what the manager wants," he said.
"But as a team, it is a bit more difficult so we knew it was going to take a bit of time," Rooney added.
“We’ve got some tough games coming up. If we can come out of them with positive results it can be the start of something for us this season.”
Hard work and patience is the key
The Manchester United captain has found it tough to establish a starting berth under Jose Mourinho, but he insists that he will be ready to take his chance when it comes. The 30-year-old could be restored back to the starting lineup against Fenerbahce after having started from the bench in United’s last four games.
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Speaking of his recent exclusions, Rooney said: “I’ve started through all my career. This is a new challenge. It is a new period. Of course I want to play – I just have to keep working and get into the team. I’m sure my chances will come, then it is up to me to take them. I have to try and do my job for the team and wait for my chance.”
"I will be ready when I’m needed. I’m 31 next week, I’ve got a lot of football left. I keep on preparing exactly the same as if I’m starting the game. I’ll make sure I’m ready and have no excuse when I’m needed,” he added.
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