Old Trafford could be key to treble chances, says Rooney

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney says home advantage will play a huge role in deciding whether the club can win the treble this season.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney says home advantage will play a huge role in deciding whether the club can win the treble this season.

The Red Devils’ next four games are all at home, as they host Norwich and Reading in the Premier League, Real Madrid in their Champions League last-16 second leg and Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

And the England international has suggested that the home crowd and minimal travelling time will provide a big boost to his team-mates.

“It’s always nice to play at home, so to have a few games there back-to-back is good,” the striker told reporters.

“Having that home advantage is a great help to us – that’s a real ¬difference.

“When we play away, we finish the game and then are either flying back or getting the train or coach.

“With home matches, we finish the game and I can be back at my house within 40 minutes or -something like that. So that’s one big help as well.”

Meanwhile, Rooney’s striker partner Danny Welbeck expressed his delight at finding his shooting boots again during United’s crucial 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“It was a great feeling to get a goal at the Bernabeu, especially because of the whole occasion with all our fans travelling over and with it being such a big game,” he said.

“It was probably the biggest goal I’ve scored, and I’d like to get more but it’s more difficult to score when playing out wide.

“You need to be more creative as well but scoring is part of my game I’d like to resurrect.”