Wayne Rooney says Manchester United's title chase has been strengthened with the return of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic at the back.

Ahead of tomorrow's Premier League encounter with Fulham, Rooney revealed the additional security means United can attack with greater conviction.

"It is always difficult when your defenders are injured," he told MUTV. "You base your team around a solid back four and we have not had that all season.

"We have used different defenders in different games but thankfully now Rio and Nemanja are back.

"It gives us more stability in defence and that should mean more opportunities to score."