United have 10 games to play in all competitions before the end of this calendar year, including two more Champions League matches and key Premier League clashes with Arsenal at home and Liverpool away.
The club's former captain Rooney, who will make his final appearance for England tonight (Thursday), believes the period after the current international break will set the tone for the remainder of the Reds' campaign.
“The Christmas period in the Premier League always determines how well you’re going to do for the rest of the season,“ said Rooney, in an exclusive interview with MUTV presenter Stewart Gardner.