Manchester United: 7 Points From Championship

Competence and lucky tend to walk side by side, when a club is set to be champion most, if not all attempts turn into success.

So even switching Wayne Rooney from his natural striker position to a more playmaker role does not affect the continuously victories for Manchester United, as the Reds stepped closer to their 20th Premier League title.

But for Sir Alex Ferguson said there is reasoning behind this strategy, as he celebrated his 900th with United versus Stoke City.

“Wayne was brilliant. I was thinking he possibly needed a different role in terms of getting his confidence back,” the manager said according to the Telegraph.

Ferguson also said, “He has been under a bit of criticism, not serious, but there were some doubters nonetheless. He’s a fantastic player and our job is to get that confidence and form back. I thought a spell in midfield would do him the world of good and it worked for us.”

Some may draw comparisons of Rooney fitting in the shoes of Ryan Giggs, as the United oldest player made a transition, as well. He transferred from the wing side to the center of the pitch.

And Rooney’s presence and accomplishment in the midfield on Sunday was not his first time.

In previous years like last October, Rooney as a playmaker to win in a 3-0 over Newcastle United, using his creativity and showing up as a surprise weapon for the Reds. Also, in November of 2011 in a 2-0 Champions League match over Otelul Galati, he stood out in the eyes of Ferguson.

Rooney said, after the Sunday match, he could not have done it by himself.

“With Michael Carrick next to me it helped. He is an experienced player and playing alongside someone like that with his composure always helps. With Rio and Vida behind they are always talking to you,” he said according to the Manchester Evening News.

Whether he will remain in the midfield on Wednesday as United travel to London, where they will face West Ham United, is a mystery only to be revealed at the start of the match.

The Reds have scored eight goals in their last two times at Upson Park.

However, this should not take the focus away from a West Ham that still is necessary to get a few Ws to avoid the relegation. Knowing that United captain, Nemanja Vidić, has studied and drawn comparisons between the previous and next opponent.

“Now it’s West Ham and we have to play well again. They play in a similar style to Stoke - we’re going to have long balls and set-pieces to deal with,” he said according to ESPNFC.

Only seven points are on the way of the Reds from lifting their be crown as champions.

Match versus West Ham possible Line ups:

West Ham in the 4-2-3-1: Jaaskelainen; Demel, Collins, Tomkins, O’Brien; Diamé, O’Neil; Vaz Te, Nolan, Jarvis; Carroll.

Manchester United in the 4-4-2: De Gea; Jones, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Carrick; Valencia, Carrick, Anderson, Cleverley; Van Persie, Rooney.