Rooney reassured by Fergie

Sir Alex Ferguson insists Wayne Rooney is staying at Manchester United, and will be involved against Chelsea in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Last Updated: 08/03/13 at 12:01 Post Comment   

Rooney: Staying at Old Trafford, insists Sir Alex

Rooney: Staying at Old Trafford, insists Sir Alex

Ferguson left Rooney out of the United line-up for Tuesday's Champions League defeat by Real Madrid, since when it has been suggested the Red Devils boss would be willing to accept an offer for the striker this summer.

However, speaking on Friday morning ahead of Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final with Chelsea at Old Trafford, Ferguson denied that was the case.

"He will be here next year, you have my word on that," he said.

"There is no issue between myself and Wayne Rooney. To suggest we don't talk is nonsense.

"He understood the reasons completely. Tactically we got it right. We don't always but we did then.

"There are no issues with the player and he will be involved on Sunday.

"I left out Shinji Kagawa after he scored a hat-trick. I thought I would get more stick for that."

Ferguson is still bitter about the circumstances of Tuesday's defeat, in particular the dismissal of Nani, on which the entire contest turned.

"It is hard to keep your faith when you have things like that," said Ferguson.

Ferguson refused to say whether Rooney would actually start on Sunday. And he again repeated his belief that the 27-year-old needed to play matches in order to retain full fitness, an assessment that has raised so much debate over the past few days.

"Why should I help anyone by telling them my team? We don't do that," said Ferguson.

"But Wayne does need a lot of football. He has always been that type. That has always been the case."

Ferguson said he had been concerned about the appointment of Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir prior to Tuesday's game.

Cakir has now sent off seven players from English teams, but never one against them.

"I was concerned. I said that to my staff," he said.

"I had a big worry about it, but it is gone now. There is nothing we can do about it."

Meanwhile, Ferguson confirmed Phil Jones was still not fit enough to return after an ankle injury, although could be available to face Reading in the Premier League next Saturday.

And the United boss admitted Nani may need a lift after his unfortunate experience in midweek.

"Nani was obviously disappointed and we have to get rid of that feeling of guilt he maybe has," said Ferguson.

"I don't think he did anything wrong and that's the message we'll give to him."

Ferguson also opted against attacking old adversary and the under-fire Rafael Benitez, whom he faces at Old Trafford for the first time since his surprise arrival at Chelsea.

"I'm not going to kick anyone when they're lying down," he said.

"It's not my style."

However, a meeting with Chelsea offers the perfect pick-me-up. "In the cold light of day, though, we're Manchester United and we have to get on with it," said Ferguson.

"There's nothing that can be done now. We have an important issue of a quarter-final on Sunday.

"I've cleared my mind. It's just another day in the history of our club. Not a good day, but another day."

Fishcake - you have so much drivel in your reply that i don't know where to start...suffice to say I don't think the tactic of letting Madrid have the ball did that well considering ye lost. As for me returning here after the Arsenal game- what difference does it make if Arsenal lose? or indeed win - i was commentating on Ferguson losing cool not on Wenger/Arsenal... Now if the article was 'Wenger puts a pair of womens underwear on and runs naked around the pitch' and i had mentioned Ferguson overreacting then you might have a point... oh and Keane is a legend. (now that was irrelevant - or was it?)
- dozzey

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

s there a PR agency covering Begovich, Odemwingie, Steven Fletcher and Grant Holt or something? Why would you offer a quote like that without having been announced by either club. #headsshoulderskneesandtoesgone

Havelange
Begovic hints at Liverpool move

S

adly this is inevitable. No club outside the top 4/5 can hang on to anyone who shows that kind of talent anymore. Might be best for them to get as much as they can now while his stock is high and start again. On the plus side lads, Grant Holt is still available.

Fuzzy_Dunlop
Lambert issues Benteke warning

N

ot just Man Strength but Genuine Man Strength . As opposed to all that imposter Man Strength floating around out there.

towelmaster
Rodgers: Coutinho is a star

Footer 365

Former 'Boro defender Colin Cooper named as Hartlepool's new manager

Hartlepool have appointed Colin Cooper as their new manager after the sacking of John Hughes earlier this month.

Manchester United chief executive David Gill elected to UEFA's executive committee

Manchester United's outgoing chief executive David Gill has been elected to UEFA's executive committee.

Premier League: Marco Materazzi would love Jose Mourinho link at Chelsea

Marco Materazzi would love to join Jose Mourinho at Chelsea if the coach returns this summer.

Mail Box

Saving The Europa League And More...

Nice one UEFA, but not far enough. We have some ideas to make the Europa League better as well as more views on Wayne Rooney, Vermaelen in midfield and...

More Scared Of Losing AVB Than Bale...

We thought we would have to resort to another mailbox about maths but we've had some grand opinions about Man United, Newcastle, Tottenham and more. Oh and maths...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved