Rooney: Next Few Weeks Will Shape Manchester United's Season

Manchester United return to England high on confidence after winning the Club World Cup last week, when they downed LDU Quito 1-0 in the final.

Sir Alex Ferguson and Rio Ferdinand have already stressed the importance of the win and how it could affect the Old Trafford side's season, as they had been relatively average - by their lofty standards - before jetting off to Japan.

And Wayne Rooney, who scored the winner against the South American champions, thinks no differently to his manager or his team-mate.

“The next few weeks are a big time of the season for us and they could have a real impact on how things pan out during the rest of the campaign,” he said in The Sun.

United will resume Premier League duties when they visit Stoke City on Boxing Day, before hosting Middlesbrough three days later.

Rooney continued: “Stoke is a big game and at a big time of the season for us, so it’s important we pick up three points.

“We know it’ll be tough, especially after having only just returned from Japan. But all the games are winnable over Christmas and we’re confident we can beat Stoke and then Middlesbrough.

“The FA Cup starts soon after and we’ve got the Carling Cup semi with Derby and then the Chelsea game to think about.”

United currently sit fourth in the standings, seven points behind leaders Liverpool but with two games in hand.

Mike Maguire, Goal.com