Though the home straight is still just over the horizon, Wayne Rooney is relishing the chase for the Barclays Premier League title.
Pace-setters Manchester City continue to hold a narrow lead over the Reds but, with a tough run of fixtures looming, Rooney insists the champions are relishing the task in hand.
Victory at Arsenal last weekend was a precursor to further examinations against Chelsea, Stoke, Liverpool, Norwich and Tottenham, but the United striker says: “They are all difficult games but as a footballer, these are the games you want to play in.
"We understand and know what we have to do. We need to do well in those games. As far as the players are concerned we have to take each game as it comes, prepare ourselves the best way we can and hopefully we can get the results we need."
Having regularly trodden the run-in during his eight years at Old Trafford, Rooney is well versed in how to survive the draining process of chasing honours.
“As a player you relish this part of the season and I always feel we’re at our best when it gets past new year because we can see the end of the season and that there are trophies to be won. Keeping your concentration and staying focused is therefore very important.
“After coming through the Christmas period when we played a lot of games, it’s been quite unusual in the last few weeks that we’ve only had one game. It’s been good to get some good training in and I think that will benefit us going into the games coming up.
“Once you get into the New Year you know every game is a massive one and you don’t want to be dropping points. That’s why we need to stay focused. The next three or four weeks will be exciting. Hopefully we come through them.”