SOCCER: Manchester Utd v Rangers:ALEX FERGUSON has insisted he has no regrets over omitting Wayne Rooney against Everton as the decision benefited Manchester United. The United manager, who will recall Rooney against Rangers in the Champions League tonight, also denied claims the striker was dropped as punishment for attracting a series of negative headlines.
Rooney trained with the United first team squad yesterday and is expected to start the Group C match with the Scottish champions after being left out of Saturday’s 3-3 draw against his former club at Goodison Park.
David Moyes, the Everton manager, suggested Rooney’s absence may have been to remind the England international of the standards expected of a United player while Ferguson’s assistant, Mike Phelan, said the 24-year-old “wasn’t ready to play” following a week of allegations about his private life.
Yet despite watching United squander several chances and a 3-1 lead, and having an aversion to withdrawing players in response to controversy, Ferguson is adamant the anticipated abuse from Evertonians justified his decision to overlook Rooney.
“I have no regrets at all. I did the right thing,” he said. “I’m not clarifying it again.
“I left him out for the reasons I explained. I was not going to subject him to that nonsense at that ground. It was a benefit to our team but I have no concerns about playing him at all [against Rangers].”
A hostile reception awaits Rooney from Rangers supporters and Liverpool fans in the Premier League on Sunday, albeit with both matches at Old Trafford. “I don’t think there is any need to give him any encouragement,” said the Rangers’ captain and his former Everton team-mate, David Weir. And Ferguson insisted he had no reservations about starting the striker.
The United manager said: “He will always prove his worth because he is a terrific player. I don’t know if the situation will inspire him. He has a lot of experience in these situations. But his performances for England [against Bulgaria and Switzerland] and the fact he scored was as good a boost to him as anything.”
Ferguson is also expected to have Rio Ferdinand back, following a four-month absence with a knee injury.
Gary Neville will make his 600th appearance if selected but will no longer captain the side, with the manager keen to give the armband to a more regular player. Nemanja Vidic led United against Everton even with Neville in the team, and Ferguson explained: “Gary is still club captain but I have been looking for someone who is going to be playing every week.
“Over the last two or three years we have not had a consistent captain because Gary’s injuries have prevented him playing all the time.
“With all due respect to Gary’s time at United, he knows and I know, we don’t play him every week and I am looking for someone who does play.”
When asked if Ferdinand would regain the captaincy against Rangers, Ferguson said: “No comment. I haven’t even discussed it.”
Ferguson has made a direct appeal for calm among supporters as Rangers return to Manchester tonight. The Scottish champions’ name is still blackened by the violent scenes which marred their last visit to the city, for the Uefa Cup final of 2008 and, as United prepare to host the club he supported and played for, Ferguson has made a plea for good behaviour in and around Old Trafford.
“We in Manchester have good cause to remember the Uefa Cup final, of course, because it was played in Manchester at Eastlands in a match that pained me as some of the visiting supporters of the Scottish side ran amok in the city centre,” said Ferguson in his programme notes for the Champions League game.
“All I can say is that I have every confidence that we can stage a trouble-free game. We have worked hard on the security aspect and feel the plan to take the visiting supporters to the Wigan ground for ticket distribution before bringing them to Old Trafford by bus should help.”
GuardianService
