EPL Preview: Record-breaker Rooney aims to steal spotlight from Martial
England captain passed Bobby Charlton as England's most prolific marksman after netting his 50th international goal
PHOTO: AFP
LONDON:
Wayne Rooney has set his sights on stealing the spotlight from Manchester United new-boy Anthony Martial when England's freshly-crowned record goal scorer returns to Premier League action in Saturday's clash with bitter rivals Liverpool.
Rooney passed Bobby Charlton as England's most prolific marksman when he netted his 50th international goal with a powerful penalty in Tuesday's 2-0 win over Switzerland at Wembley.
It was a much-needed jolt of confidence for Rooney, whose only goals in United colours this term have come in a Champions League rout of Club Brugge.
The 29-year-old hopes his memorable milestone provides the springboard for a dynamic display against Liverpool at Old Trafford, and ideally an end to his 10-match goalless run in the Premier League that stretches back to April.
"To achieve what I have, I would be lying if I said it didn't put a spring in my step and make you want to carry on (scoring)," Rooney said.
"I am very happy and grateful. Now I have to get back into training and start focusing on Liverpool.
"Hopefully getting two goals in the last two games will mean I continue scoring."
United manager Louis van Gaal could do with a sustained run of influential performances from Rooney as he looks to ease the weight of expectations on new signing Martial.
Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva, likely to start against United with Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen struggling with injuries, admits the outcome of Saturday's match will have a significant impact on how both clubs fare this season.
"The two teams arrive in a similar situation with a lot of new players, a lot of new signings," Lucas said.
"It's probably one of the biggest games of the season. I think if you get a good result there it can give you a lot of belief and confidence going forward.
"It's a good opportunity for us to put the result against West Ham behind us and start again."
Fernando return adds to City's early momentum
Manchester City midfielder Fernando claims he is pain free and ready to show his true colours as he presses his claims to be involved in the Premier League leaders' clash at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Fernando played much of last season with painkilling injections in his groin which sometimes hampered his performances.
The Brazilian's injury problems recurred during City's tour of Australia and Vietnam before the current campaign started, but the 28-year-old believes his troubles are behind him ahead of the trip to Selhurst Park.
"I've had this problem for a long time. I originally picked up the injury a year ago and after every game I played, it felt sore and obviously much worse," Fernando said.
"I've been working hard to recover, I'm feeling much better now with no pain so hopefully will be available.
Meanwhile, City manager Manuel Pellegrini will consider whether to hand Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne a debut following his £55 million ($85 million) move from Wolfsburg.
Champs Chelsea struggling to adapt says Hazard
Eden Hazard admits Chelsea are struggling to adapt to life as Premier League champions because "everyone wants to kill you".
Jose Mourinho's side are already eight points adrift of leaders Manchester City after winning just one of their opening four matches.
The Blues desperately need to get back on track when they face Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday in a clash which has added intrigue following Chelsea's unsuccessful bid to sign Toffees defender John Stones.
The Belgium playmaker believes that the Blues’ dip in form is partly due to the extra pressure of defending the title, an honour which leads opponents to raise their game to unexpectedly high levels against Chelsea.
"It's difficult to play as a champion because everyone wants to beat you, everyone wants to kill you," Hazard told fashion website HypeBeast.com.
Wenger impressed by Stoke's switch from brawn to brains
Arsene Wenger says Stoke finally "know how to behave" as Arsenal go in search for their first home win of the season against their old rivals on Saturday.
Relations between the two sides have been hostile since 2008 when Gunners boss Wenger claimed Stoke, then managed by Tony Pulis, had deliberately tried to hurt his players.
That claim was followed two years later by a tackle from Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross that left Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey with a badly broken leg.
Wenger also once branded Pulis' side, who often used the long throws of Rory Delap as a rudimentary attacking weapon, as a "rugby team".
But fast forward to 2015 and Stoke, now managed by Mark Hughes, are far easier on the eye than the team that carried out Pulis' robust tactical instructions so effectively.
Indeed, the Potters even have five players on their books with Champions League winners' medals - Xherdan Shaqiri, Marko Arnautovic, Ibrahim Affelay, Bojan Krkic and Marc Muniesa.
"They are team with a good culture of the Premier League," Wenger said.
"They know how to behave and they have experience as they have been here a long time in the Premier League.
"They have a lot of technical players that can give you problems."
Arsenal have not only failed to win at home so far, but have also yet to register a goal in front of their own fans, having lost 2-0 to West Ham and then shared a goalless draw with Liverpool.
Wenger also made it clear that Giroud, who scored 14 Premier League goals last season, still had his backing.
"He has my full support and I believe that is part of being a striker," he said.
Fixtures:
Saturday
Arsenal v Stoke, Crystal Palace v Manchester City, Everton v Chelsea, Manchester United v Liverpool , Norwich v Bournemouth, Watford v Swansea, West Brom v Southampton
Sunday
Leicester v Aston Villa, Sunderland v Tottenham
Monday
West Ham v Newcastle
Wayne Rooney has set his sights on stealing the spotlight from Manchester United new-boy Anthony Martial when England's freshly-crowned record goal scorer returns to Premier League action in Saturday's clash with bitter rivals Liverpool.
Rooney passed Bobby Charlton as England's most prolific marksman when he netted his 50th international goal with a powerful penalty in Tuesday's 2-0 win over Switzerland at Wembley.
It was a much-needed jolt of confidence for Rooney, whose only goals in United colours this term have come in a Champions League rout of Club Brugge.
The 29-year-old hopes his memorable milestone provides the springboard for a dynamic display against Liverpool at Old Trafford, and ideally an end to his 10-match goalless run in the Premier League that stretches back to April.
"To achieve what I have, I would be lying if I said it didn't put a spring in my step and make you want to carry on (scoring)," Rooney said.
"I am very happy and grateful. Now I have to get back into training and start focusing on Liverpool.
"Hopefully getting two goals in the last two games will mean I continue scoring."
United manager Louis van Gaal could do with a sustained run of influential performances from Rooney as he looks to ease the weight of expectations on new signing Martial.
Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva, likely to start against United with Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen struggling with injuries, admits the outcome of Saturday's match will have a significant impact on how both clubs fare this season.
"The two teams arrive in a similar situation with a lot of new players, a lot of new signings," Lucas said.
"It's probably one of the biggest games of the season. I think if you get a good result there it can give you a lot of belief and confidence going forward.
"It's a good opportunity for us to put the result against West Ham behind us and start again."
Fernando return adds to City's early momentum
Manchester City midfielder Fernando claims he is pain free and ready to show his true colours as he presses his claims to be involved in the Premier League leaders' clash at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Fernando played much of last season with painkilling injections in his groin which sometimes hampered his performances.
The Brazilian's injury problems recurred during City's tour of Australia and Vietnam before the current campaign started, but the 28-year-old believes his troubles are behind him ahead of the trip to Selhurst Park.
"I've had this problem for a long time. I originally picked up the injury a year ago and after every game I played, it felt sore and obviously much worse," Fernando said.
"I've been working hard to recover, I'm feeling much better now with no pain so hopefully will be available.
Meanwhile, City manager Manuel Pellegrini will consider whether to hand Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne a debut following his £55 million ($85 million) move from Wolfsburg.
Champs Chelsea struggling to adapt says Hazard
Eden Hazard admits Chelsea are struggling to adapt to life as Premier League champions because "everyone wants to kill you".
Jose Mourinho's side are already eight points adrift of leaders Manchester City after winning just one of their opening four matches.
The Blues desperately need to get back on track when they face Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday in a clash which has added intrigue following Chelsea's unsuccessful bid to sign Toffees defender John Stones.
The Belgium playmaker believes that the Blues’ dip in form is partly due to the extra pressure of defending the title, an honour which leads opponents to raise their game to unexpectedly high levels against Chelsea.
"It's difficult to play as a champion because everyone wants to beat you, everyone wants to kill you," Hazard told fashion website HypeBeast.com.
Wenger impressed by Stoke's switch from brawn to brains
Arsene Wenger says Stoke finally "know how to behave" as Arsenal go in search for their first home win of the season against their old rivals on Saturday.
Relations between the two sides have been hostile since 2008 when Gunners boss Wenger claimed Stoke, then managed by Tony Pulis, had deliberately tried to hurt his players.
That claim was followed two years later by a tackle from Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross that left Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey with a badly broken leg.
Wenger also once branded Pulis' side, who often used the long throws of Rory Delap as a rudimentary attacking weapon, as a "rugby team".
But fast forward to 2015 and Stoke, now managed by Mark Hughes, are far easier on the eye than the team that carried out Pulis' robust tactical instructions so effectively.
Indeed, the Potters even have five players on their books with Champions League winners' medals - Xherdan Shaqiri, Marko Arnautovic, Ibrahim Affelay, Bojan Krkic and Marc Muniesa.
"They are team with a good culture of the Premier League," Wenger said.
"They know how to behave and they have experience as they have been here a long time in the Premier League.
"They have a lot of technical players that can give you problems."
Arsenal have not only failed to win at home so far, but have also yet to register a goal in front of their own fans, having lost 2-0 to West Ham and then shared a goalless draw with Liverpool.
Wenger also made it clear that Giroud, who scored 14 Premier League goals last season, still had his backing.
"He has my full support and I believe that is part of being a striker," he said.
Fixtures:
Saturday
Arsenal v Stoke, Crystal Palace v Manchester City, Everton v Chelsea, Manchester United v Liverpool , Norwich v Bournemouth, Watford v Swansea, West Brom v Southampton
Sunday
Leicester v Aston Villa, Sunderland v Tottenham
Monday
West Ham v Newcastle