Wayne Rooney desperate to make a point against Arsenal at Old Trafford

Wayne Rooney is desperate to win the Premier League title against Arsenal on Saturday as pay-back for the Gunners' title-clinching win at Old Trafford two seasons before Rooney's arrival at Manchester United from Everton.



"It would be brilliant to win it against Arsenal," said the striker. "They are a great footballing team but when their fans come to Old Trafford you always hear them singing about winning it there. It would be nice to do it against them this time."

Michael Carrick's late strike at the JJB Stadium last night means United are now just one point away from winning the championship for the third season running and drawing level with Liverpool's long-standing record of 18 league titles.

The Premier League has confirmed it will present the trophy to United on Saturday afternoon should Sir Alex Ferguson's men avoid defeat, thus side-stepping the awkward prospect of crowning them champions at Hull on 24 May minutes after the home club have potentially been relegated.

"One point will win it for us and hopefully that can come on Saturday," said Rooney. "The manager has done it only once at Old Trafford in 17 years so it would be brilliant to do it in front of our own fans.

"It would be a great achievement, something United have done only once before. To do it again and get to a second Champions League final would be great and something for us all to be proud of. But we don't just want to make finals; we want to win trophies as well."

More pertinently, it would offer Ferguson the opportunity to rest his entire squad at Hull in readiness for the Champions League final encounter with Barcelona in Rome four days later.

"If we can win the league by this weekend I am sure the manager will opt to rest some players," said Rooney. "That could be really important, especially when you look at the position Hull are in at the minute. If we have to go there to get a point it will be a really difficult game because they are fighting to stay up, which is not ideal given the Champions League final is so close."

Ben Foster is due a start but may be forced to wait a week, while Gary Neville could also come into contention. Anderson, Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher seem certain to be involved, while Rio Ferdinand's calf injury will be assessed after a two-match absence.