Wayne Rooney believes Everton fans are desperate for him to lead Manchester United to the Premier League title this season so they pass Liverpool's record of 18 championship wins.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side are on course to achieve that feat as they face West Ham United on Saturday in pole position. United are on 63 points, five clear of Arsenal, who have a game in hand, while the reigning champions Chelsea are four points further back.

Rooney, who left Everton to join United in 2004, said: "I grew up an Everton fan so to be part of the team to overtake Liverpool's record would be brilliant. It would mean so much to us players as well as the fans.

"It is something I have been thinking about a lot. I know all the Everton fans want us to do it and hopefully we can. You look forward to every game at this stage and you've got to enjoy it, especially when you are in the running for a few trophies. It is exciting for the fans and it's exciting for the players knowing that you are just a few weeks away from possibly winning a major trophy or two."

United face Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-final first leg next week and City in the FA Cup semi-final next month. Rooney is convinced they will see off their local rivals and told Inside United magazine: "I am confident we can beat them. I am desperate to win the competition, having lost two finals [in 2005 and 2007]. We have a great chance of going all the way this year.

"It is a massive competition with a lot of history. I watched it religiously growing up and going so close twice has been hard to take."

Rooney believes it is a significant bonus to have Antonio Valencia fit for the run-in and said: "I am probably the happiest person in the team to see him back. Having Nani on one wing and Antonio on the other is fantastic because they each bring something different."