Wayne Rooney: Away the lads

WAYNE ROONEY says Manchester United's away-day blues are firmly behind them.

The champions have won as many games on their Premier League travels this season — seven out of nine — as in the whole of last term.

At this stage last season, the eventual champions had just 13 points from a possible 27 on the road, with seven draws and only two victories.

This term, after consecutive away wins at QPR and Fulham in the last week, it is 23 points from a possible 27 — with seven wins and two draws.

Add to that the fact they have only conceded three goals in those games too and United are the one team nobody wants visiting.

Rooney said: "It is an amazing turnaround. Last season we only dropped two points at home but struggled away.

"This season we've already dropped five at home but we're making up for that away."

Wednesday's 5-0 win at Fulham was particularly impressive, with Rooney's long-range thunderbolt the goal of the game.

It was Rooney's fourth league goal in three games, having previously not scored from open play since September.

The striker, 26, added: "It was a great win for us. We played very well and took our chances — which is good away from home — and it was nice to get on the scoresheet too.

"I don't think it was my best game but I was pleased to score. I just thought 'Why not?', put my foot through it and, thankfully, it went in."

United had the game won by the break, with a 3-0 half-time lead.

They added the final two goals through Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov in the last three minutes.

Rooney said: "It was comfortable. In the second half we took our foot off the gas but we were always in control and were always going to win the game.

"We have a lot of games coming up so it was important not to run as much as we would normally have to."

United remain just two points behind table-topping Manchester City.

They now have successive home games against sides in the drop zone, with Wigan on Boxing Day and rock-bottom Blackburn Rovers on New Year's Day.

Rooney said: "We knew if we could win this game then we would have two home games coming up and we have a great chance of winning them both.

"We need to keep going and keep pushing City. If they do slip up, hopefully we will be there to pounce."