Fernandes and Cavani made Manchester United candidates: Rooney

(Reuters) – The signings of Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani could prove crucial for Manchester United this season as both have the kind of winning mentality a club needs to mount a title challenge, the former skipper has said Wayne Rooney.

The pair, who arrived last year, have taken some of the pressure off Paul Pogba, allowing the French midfielder to play to his full potential, he added.

Pogba scored the winner in United’s 2-1 win over Fulham on Wednesday after Cavani equalized as the win took them top of the table.

“In the last few years United have not been ready to challenge for the title but now they have brought in players like Fernandes and Cavani – players with a winning mentality – who have helped enormously,” Derby County boss Rooney told British media . .

“Now the team is challenging for a Premier League title. I told the coaches in the office here six weeks ago that I thought United would win the League. I still feel that today.

“Paul Pogba will have a huge part to play in that. Those players who have been brought in with winning mindsets will take some of the pressure off Paul and now he can show his quality on the pitch.”

United are two points clear of Manchester City, who have a game in hand. They face Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday before meeting Sheffield United in the league next Wednesday.

(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)