EPL’s assist king pleas: We need the support of the Manchester United fans

Wayne Rooney has urged Manchester United fans to keep calm, despite suffering three back-to-back defeats in a row for the first time since 2001.

United have lost all three games since the turn of the year in three different competitions to pile pressure on David Moyes, who now sees his side 11 points off Arsenal at the top of the table.

Rooney has missed the cup defeats to Swansea and Sunderland with a groin injury and issued to message to fans via the Red Devils’ mouthpiece MUTV, asking for them to remain behind the team so they can turn around this wretched run of form.

The England forward, who has been a rare bright spark for United, said: “The fans’ support is very important. The fans have been great here, especially now when we are not in the best of form and we have lost a few games.

“We need them to support us through this time. We will get stronger and we will get better.

“The fans are vital in being patient with us and letting us try to get there. I am sure we will do.”

Rooney also had special praise for Danny Welbeck, who has been pushed into a more central role in the absence of Rooney and Robin Van Persie, having generally played a more supporting role on the flanks for David Moyes’ outfit.

“Danny’s been great. He’s been working really hard and he’s played a few games up top now and scored some vital goals for us. He’s been brilliant, especially since we’ve had a few injuries and he’s come in and helped the team.”

Rooney is expected to be back in the squad for the second visit of Swansea within a week, as they look to avoid recording four successive defeats for the first time since 1961.