Fergie: Wayne will Rool again

GRAFT ... Roo is putting in the hard yards

ALEX FERGUSON is backing Wayne Rooney to end his Premier League goal drought.

Rooney struck nine times in his first five league games this season but has not found the net since the defeat of Chelsea back on September 18.

In fact, in all competitions, he has only two more goals since then and they both came from the penalty spot against Champions League minnows Otelul Galati. But Ferguson said: "He had a great start to the season, scoring-wise.

"I think he's on 11 goals at the moment but it's a long season and he'll score goals — there's no question about that."

Fergie has had to deploy Rooney as a midfielder at times due to injuries and the United boss believes that might have affected his goal-scoring form. He said: "Maybe that has got something to do with it, yeah."

United have struggled for goals since that Chelsea game, scoring just once in seven out of eight league games since.

That has led to three draws and a defeat as neighbours City have opened up a five-point lead at the top.

But Ferguson is not worried as at least the chances are being created. A lot of that creation has come from the boot of Ashley Young, who has three goals himself this season. Today will see his first return to Villa Park since his £16million move to Old Trafford in the summer.

Ferguson said: "He started off really well, which doesn't always happen when someone joins Manchester United, so we are really pleased with that.

"He's proved his worth in terms of goals taken and opportunities created."