LONDON: Captain Wayne Rooney says there is enough talent in the “fantastic” Manchester United squad to launch a serious challenge for the Premier League title despite a mixed start to the campaign.
United, who last won the league in 2013, have displayed flashes of brilliance under Jose Mourinho but their erratic performances have threatened to undermine the Portuguese’s maiden campaign at Old Trafford.
“I do think we’ll be challenging this season – we’ve still got that belief and it is even stronger after working with this manager and the players over the last few months,” Rooney said.
After suffering back-to-back defeats last month, a five-game unbeaten run in all competitions has raised spirits as seventh-placed United held rivals Liverpool to a goalless draw on Monday to maintain a five-point gap behind leaders Manchester City.
“I think we’ve got a fantastic squad that is ready and capable of challenging. I’m sure over the next few weeks or couple of months we will have our way of playing, and it will be his (Mourinho’s) way of playing," Rooney said.
“It is a different way of playing, but if you’re an individual you should learn what the manager wants. As a team, it’s going to take a little bit longer. We knew it was going to take a bit of time."
Following his world-record move to United in August, midfielder Paul Pogba has yet to live up to his hefty price tag but Rooney is confident that once the Frenchman adapts to the rigours of English football, he will be worth the outlay.
“Paul is a fantastic player, I think he is working hard and he is doing well,” the Englishman added of the former Juventus star.
“It is a different league to what he’s been used to – he didn’t really play last time when he was here so this is all new. He is a fantastic player and he will shine for us this season there is no doubt.”
United host Turkish side Fenerbahce in the Europa League tomorrow before travelling to face Mourinho’s former club Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday. – Reuters