EPL: Wayne Rooney fires out title warning after Manchester United beat Arsenal

Wayne Rooney, left, believes Manchester United are coming to get pacesetters Arsenal (Picture: Reuters)

Wayne Rooney insisted Manchester United are right back in the Premier League title race after the champions beat Arsenal 1-0 at Old Trafford to move within five points of the leaders heading into the international break.

Rooney, who created the only goal of the game for Robin van Persie, admitted it was a game United simply couldn’t afford to lose but claimed results elsewhere also contributed to the renewed optimism around the club.

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Manchester City and Tottenham both lost on Sunday while Chelsea had dropped two points 24 hours earlier, and the significance of those results wasn’t lost on Rooney.

‘We knew we couldn’t afford to lose today and we couldn’t let Arsenal get 11 points ahead of us, and I think the other results today and yesterday… we knew a victory would put us right back in there and we’re in a good position,’ said the United striker.

‘We knew we’d have to win today at all costs. I think we defended really well and thankfully Robin got the goal and we got the three points, and I think it was a great effort from everyone.’

It was perhaps the biggest result of David Moyes’ fledgling reign as United boss and Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor was positive there is more to come from his team.

United are up to fifth despite an inconsistent start to the campaign, particularly at home, and Moyes is beginning to like what he sees.

‘It’s been a great weekend – we’ve not had many of them! This was a big result for us today, Arsenal have been in terrific form this season and we had to play well to get the result,’ he said.

‘The big players are coming up when they’re needed and Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney’s games were two big performances.

‘This is another step on the ladder. It’s going to be a while until I get it all the way I’d like it. We’re improving and getting better, and we hope it will get much, much better in the coming months and years.’

Adapted from The Metro