Rooney: Defence is best base for attack

Wayne Rooney is predicting Manchester United will become even more prolific now their first choice central defensive partnership is back in action.

Thanks to Rooney’s efforts, United have so far been able to make light of lengthy absences for Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic this season.

Already the duo’s recovery from back and nerve problems respectively has had an impact, with United keeping successive clean sheets for the first time since October.

And, ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League encounter with Fulham, Rooney revealed the additional security means United can attack with greater conviction.

“It is always difficult when your defenders are injured,” he told MUTV. “You base your team around a solid back four and we have not had that all season.

“We have used different defenders in different games but thankfully now Rio and Nemanja are back.

“It gives us more stability in defence and that should mean more opportunities to score.”