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Away form can lead us to the title - Rooney

Wayne Rooney was on target against Fulham © Getty Images

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Wayne Rooney has lauded Manchester United's away form, labelling their run on the road an "amazing turnaround" after last season's struggles.

Despite winning the Premier League last term, the champions only managed seven victories on their travels - an amount they have already equalled after 17 games of the current campaign.

At the same stage last season, Sir Alex Ferguson's men had taken 13 of a possible 27 away from Old Trafford, a run that included only two wins. Those statistics are a stark contrast from this season's efforts - recent consecutive triumphs at QPR and Fulham have seen United claim 23 points from the 27 on offer.

"It is an amazing turnaround. Last season we only dropped two points at home but struggled away," Rooney told the Sun. "This season we've already dropped five at home but we're making up for that away."

Impressively, United have only conceded three times when they have been the visitors; a 5-0 demolition of Fulham helping their goal difference rise to a healthy 28.

At Craven Cottage, United sauntered to victory on Wednesday night, with the game all but sewn up at half-time as they headed into the break holding a 3-0 lead.

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."

With successive home games against sides in the relegation zone - Wigan on Boxing Day and bottom-club Blackburn on New Year's Day - Rooney is hopeful his team can eat into Manchester City's two-point advantage at the top of the table.

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

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