Man Utd vs Arsenal - "Gunners Could Fade Away", Warns Rooney

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has warned that Arsenal could "fade away" ahead of the two side's all-important Premier League clash on Sunday, according to the BBC. The Gunners are currently five points clear at the top of the table - and eight above United - but Rooney says it is premature to back Arsene Wenger's side as title contenders. "We've seen before that they've been in the top two until February or March and then faded away," Rooney said.

"They are doing brilliantly at the minute, so it's down to them to try and stay there and us to catch them. "We'll have to wait and see where Arsenal are in March."

Defending champions United lie eighth in the league having made their worst start to a season since 1989, having taken 17 points from an available 30. However, David Moyes's side have put together a decent run of form in recent weeks, with last night's 0-0 draw with Real Sociedad meaning they are now undefeated in all competitions since the loss against West Brom on September 28, and Rooney, with a comment that is sure to fan the flames ahead of this weekend's crunch encounter at Old Trafford, said:

"We're obviously capable of beating Arsenal, we've done it many times in the past."

Arsenal too are in good form, however, and have gone unbeaten since defeat to Aston Villa on the first day of the Premier League season. In that time, the Gunners have won eight out of their subsequent nine league encounters, and Rooney conceded:

"They're on a good run of form at the moment and they're top of the league, so we know it's going to be a difficult game. "We know we're capable of playing better and we're trying to do that. It's up to us to keep trying to pick up points and then, come Christmas, see where we are."

Manchester United take on Arsenal at Old Trafford this Sunday, kick-off 16:10.