Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney believes his Chelsea counterpart Fernando Torres still poses a major threat after insisting the Spaniard does not get the credit he deserves.
Torres moved to Chelsea from Liverpool in a Premier League record £50million deal in January 2011, but the World Cup-winning striker has struggled to replicate the devastating form he displayed during his three-and-a-half years at Anfield.
Following the release of Chelsea legend Didier Drogba at the end of last season, the former Atletico Madrid captain was thrust into the starring striker role for the Blues this campaign, and while there has been an improvement on his first 18 months at Stamford Bridge, he still hasn’t looked the same player of previous years.
However, in the build-up to United’s trip to Stamford Bridge to take on league-leaders Chelsea, Rooney insists Torres is still a player that poses a major danger.
“They have brought in some fantastic players and added more speed to the team,” said Rooney. “The important thing first of all is to make sure we defend well against them and then try and score. We have to make sure we are at our best to try and beat them.
“As for Torres, of course he is still a threat. I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves because he works hard for the team.
“Sometimes the goals go in for him other times they don’t but he’s always trying.”
United go into this clash four points behind title rivals Chelsea and will view this match as the ideal opportunity to close the gap.
But Rooney is aware that United will leave themselves with a huge task if they fall behind, as has happened eight times already this season.
“We can’t afford to do that this time,” he added. “It happened against Braga and we did well to get back in the game and win it, but you can’t afford to be going one or two goals down against Chelsea away.”
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