Wayne Rooney: ‘Massive Games’ Against Chelsea, Arsenal & Marseille To Shape Man Utd’s Season

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has warned his team to not lose focus and keep their feet planted in their hunt for silverware, insisting the next five games are ‘massive’.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s team currently occupy the top spot in the Premier League by just one point ahead of Arsenal, and still have high hopes in the Champions League and FA Cup.

Despite holding a game in hand over the Gunners, United still have several testing fixtures on the horizon, including two highly anticipated ties against title rivals Chelsea, as well as trips to the Emirates and Anfield.

However, the former Everton man insists that his team-mates need to keep their eyes on the up-and-coming fixtures and not to look too far ahead.

The 25-year-old told reporters: “At this time of the season you’ve got to keep your focus and stay concentrated.

“That’s the most important thing because if you look too far ahead and start thinking about other games, then it can go wrong.

“We’ve got three massive games in the Premier League coming up now at Wigan, Chelsea and Liverpool.

“Then maybe Arsenal in the FA Cup and Marseille in the Champions League after that – it’s a massive time for us.

“We know it’s going to be difficult, but we have to keep going, keep trying to create chances and if we can get through those games okay, then I’m sure we’ll be up there [fighting for trophies].”

Rooney and his team-mates put on a far from convincing performance in their Champions League tie against Marseille on Wednesday night that resulted in a goalless draw, but the England international is confident that United will be able to use their home advantage in the next leg to full effect and progress to the quarter-finals.

The striker added: “We know 0-0 can be a dangerous scoreline, if they were to score at Old Trafford, but we’re confident of beating them at home.

“We’ve got to be positive. We didn’t get beaten, we know we’ve got them at home and if we win we’re through to the next round. That’s the main target and that’s what we’re going to do.

“We’re proud of our away record in Europe [two defeats in 23 games] and want to keep that going.

“I can imagine the game didn’t make for great TV viewing. I hope we make amends in the second leg and turn on the style. But at this stage you’ve just got to look to win the game. The win is the most important thing, rather than how you do it.”