PREMIER LEAGUE: Rooney upbeat on United's title chances

Three difficult seasons followed Sir Alex Ferguson’s outstanding reign, with Jose Mourinho brought in to give United a shot in the arm after David Moyes and Louis van Gaal’s difficult tenures.

There have been flashes of brilliance and all-too-familiar disappointment under the Portuguese so far, with a poor run of three successive defeats followed by an unbeaten streak that extended to a fifth match in Monday’s tense derby at Liverpool.

United dug in to secure a 0-0 draw that closed the gap to the Premier League summit to five points, helping reaffirm Rooney’s belief that they will be challenging for this season’s title.

“I think we’ve got a great squad,” the United captain said.

“I said before the season we’d be challenging - we’ve still got that belief, even stronger after working with this manager and the players over the last few months.

“I think we’ve got a fantastic squad, who are ready and capable of challenging.”

Rooney believes further positive results over a testing fortnight “can be the start of something” for Mourinho’s men.

Fenerbahce await in the Europa League tomorrow before Sunday’s league trip to Chelsea, where a steely display akin to that at Anfield may be the order of the day.

It was a disciplined display synonymous with Mourinho, and Rooney reckons his philosophy will be fully instilled over the coming months as United look to move on from the Van Gaal era.

“It is a different way of playing, but I think if you’re an individual it is easy to get (the old style of play) out of your head and learn what the manager wants,” he said.

“But as a team it is a bit more difficult so we knew it was going to take a bit of time.”

This is a period of transition both for Rooney and United, with the big-name summer signings still find their feet.

Paul Pogba has rarely lived up to the billing of the world’s most expensive player since returning, but retains the backing of those within the dressing room.

“Paul is a fantastic player,” Rooney said. “I think he’s working hard and he’s doing well.

“Obviously it is a different league to what he’s been used to - he didn’t really play last time when he was here so it is something new for him.

“As always, it takes time to settle. I think he is a fantastic player and he will shine for us this season, there is no doubt.”