Our height was key to victory, reveals Rooney
MANCHESTER United forward Wayne Rooney revealed his team deliberately pinpointed Arsenal’s lack of height in order to secure a vital three points that boosted their hopes of retaining their Premier League crown.
The Gunners, missing 6ft 6in central defender Per Mertesacker through illness, conceded the only goal when former striker Robin Van Persie rose highest inside the penalty area to head in Rooney’s first-half corner.
And the 28-year-old was delighted United’s game plan proved to be so effective.
“We worked on free-kicks and corners as Arsenal have a lot of smaller players in the team and that could give us the opportunity to get a goal and thankfully it’s paid off,” said Rooney. “We knew we couldn’t afford to lose and let Arsenal get 11 points ahead of us and we knew a victory would put us right back in there and we’re in a good position.”
United’s fourth win in five Premier League matches moved them five points behind the Gunners at the summit.
And boss David Moyes believes the destination of the title remains totally unpredictable.
“I don’t think anyone’s going to run away with it,” he said. “It’s a close-run league this year.”