Hot shot still thinks United can challenge for honours despite slow start.
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Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has said that he wants to the club to be in top spot by the new year as the club look to kick start their season after beating Arsenal this weekend, the Daily Mirror reports.
The defending champions began their clash eight points adrift of current table toppers Arsenal in a game that United were desperate to avoid defeat in. A single Robin Van Persie strike was enough to give David Moyes’ men victory in a tense encounter, closing the deficit between them to just five points.
And in doing so the England striker is hopeful that the performance will give them the boost they needed to recapture their electric form from last season.
“We couldn’t afford to lose because we couldn’t let them get 11 points ahead of us,” he said.
“It’s a massive lift and it’s a great weekend ahead of the international break. Our aim is to be top or thereabouts at the new year.
“We had to win at all costs. We are right back in it now and the other results gave us a big boost.”
Rooney also highlighted Arsenal’s apparent weakness from set pieces, something which the Red Devils exploited in order to secure all three points.
“We worked on free-kicks and corners because Arsenal have a few smaller players. Thankfully it paid off.”