Soccer Shorts: Alex Ferguson insists he will not make the same mistake with Wayne Rooney as he did when he allowed David Beckham to link up prematurely with the England squad having not recovered sufficiently from a fractured metatarsal, reports Dominic Fifield

Manchester United took delivery of an oxygen chamber at their Carrington training complex yesterday in which they hope Rooney's rehabilitation from the fractured fourth metatarsal in his right foot will gather pace.

Beckham broke a second metatarsal in a challenge by Deportivo la Coruna's Aldo Duscher in April 2002 but he travelled with England to their training camp in Dubai at the end of the season and featured, after 53 days, in the World Cup group match with Sweden in Saitama.

Ferguson said yesterday that he regretted allowing his former midfielder, now with Real Madrid, to leave Carrington early for the squad get-together. "I think I made a mistake on David because he ended up joining up with England in Dubai," said the United manager.

"I think he would have been much fitter if he'd stayed here. But he wanted to go to Dubai to link up with the England squad and in the end I don't think he was fit enough to play in a World Cup, to be honest with you.

"We mustn't rush Wayne back too early. The boy wouldn't do himself justice in the finals (if not fit) and that would be an even bigger disappointment for England fans. A quarter-final of the World Cup is not an easy game. I don't know who they are likely to play but most people seem to think it could be Portugal. Well, Portugal are not a bad side. They would think they have every chance of getting through to a semi-final.

"We're giving the boy treatment; we want him on the plane if we can. If not, then hopefully he'll get a proper recovery before the new season starts." Ferguson confirmed that the second fracture identified by scans is not serious and will not delay Rooney's recovery further.

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Hughes signs new deal

Mark Hughes has celebrated leading Blackburn back into Europe by signing a new contract which will keep him at Ewood Park until at least 2009.

Hughes sealed the deal yesterday ahead of Sunday's final game of the Premiership season, against Manchester City, which will confirm their top-six finish.

Hughes, who has transformed the club's fortunes since leaving Wales to replace Graeme Souness as manager 18 months ago, said he was relishing the chance to build on recent success.

Hughes said: "I am very excited by what is happening with Rovers and I am very happy to pledge my future to the club.

"We have enjoyed a great season and I am looking forward to being a part of the club's success going forward."

Despite some criticism over his style of play, Hughes has emerged as one of the brightest bosses in the game, leading the club into Europe and to two major cup semi-finals.

Hughes' assistant Mark Bowen and goalkeeping coach Eddie Niedzwiecki have also signed new deals which will keep them at Ewood Park for the same timescale.

Call for salary cap

Bayern Munich president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has called for a Europe-wide salary cap designed to curb Chelsea's dominance in the transfer market.

The former Germany striker insists the Premiership champions' ability to outspend their European rivals with Roman Abramovich's almost limitless resources is "unacceptable".

Rummenigge said: "We could have a salary cap: when a big proportion of turnover is spent on wages clubs are going into the red. We should have an overall salary budget capped at, say 50 per cent of turnover. Across Europe there should be harmonisation."

Comparing his club with Chelsea, Rummenigge added: "We have a €200 million turnover and Chelsea, who are owned by Roman Abramovich, have (a comparable) turnover of €213.

"We make a €35 million profit; this is required for our investment. Chelsea lost €204 million; Mr Abramovich obviously stumped up for it.

"This (makes for) unequal competition but we are playing against each other in the Champions League. This is not acceptable."

O'Leary denies move

Aston Villa manager David O'Leary has distanced himself from reports linking him with a shock move to Sunderland in the summer.

Niall Quinn, O'Leary's former Arsenal and Republic of Ireland team-mate, was reported to have targeted him if the consortium he heads up succeeds in taking control of the Black Cats.

But O'Leary is adamant he has a job to complete at Villa after a massive season of underachievement which sees them in the Premiership's bottom six.

O'Leary said: "I don't know where these reports have come from. Niall Quinn is a friend of mine but that doesn't mean anything. I actually haven't spoken to Niall since October.

"As far as I am concerned, I have got a big job to do at Aston Villa and I want to get down to that in the summer. Hopefully I will be able to bring in new players and we all want to do better than this current season."

Rangers fans invest

The Rangers Supporters' Trust is to launch a shares issue today, which it hopes will raise £5m.

The money will be made available for new manager Paul Le Guen to spend on youth development or on new players.

The scheme, which is the first of its kind in Britain, will allow fans to invest small sums in the club without using stockbrokers.