Rooney wary of reinforced Chelsea

WAYNE Rooney has warned Manchester United to beware Chelsea as the Premier League title race begins to take shape.

United did not experience the difficulties Arsenal and Chelsea endured to collect three points last night, and their 3–1 win over Aston Villa keeps them at the head of affairs. Arsenal remain their closest challengers, five points adrift.

But it could be Chelsea, 10 points behind but buoyed by the £70million acquisition of star duo Fernando Torres and David Luiz, who could provide the greatest threat.

“We certainly haven’t written off Chelsea,” Rooney said.

“They are a big strong side and we know if anyone is capable of going on a good run then it is them.”

Rooney took just 50 seconds to answer Sir Alex Ferguson’s call for increased goals output, before tapping home a second just before the break.

It still took a stunning strike from Nemanja Vidic to seal victory after Darren Bent had pulled one back for the visitors, although for Rooney, it could be the start of a personal crusade after taking his below–par seasonal tally to five.

The result allowed United to equal their club record of 29 league games unbeaten and Villa boss Gerard Houllier admitted that, with Rooney on top form, the Red Devils will be hard to stop.