Rooney eager to make return

Wayne Rooney says Alex Ferguson may have been "a bit cautious" in delaying his return to action following a broken metatarsal but admits it may benefit him in the long term.

The Manchester United striker was eager to make his comeback a number of weeks ago as the club struggled up front with Louis Saha injured, Carlos Tevez short of match fitness and Cristiano Ronaldo serving a suspension.

But Ferguson held the striker back in a bid to ensure he was fully fit.  This left Rooney frustrated.

"I feel I could have played a few weeks ago so I'm a bit disappointed," the England international said.

"It's probably for the best. I've been dying to play and I let the manager know if there was a chance of my playing, I thought I was ready.

"I think the manager and the physios have been a bit cautious and rightly so because of the long season."

Rooney, who is expected to make his comeback against Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League group match tomorrow night, also denied that his boots had anything to do with his injury problems.

"I know several ex-professionals have been saying it's down to my boots. But they don't know what the boots are like.  The boots are fine."

Owen Hargreaves will play no part in tomorrow's game after failing to shake off a thigh strain.  He will now target Sunday's meeting with Chelsea.

"It is just disappointing to suffer something so niggly," he said. "But I think these injuries come from last season when I broke my leg."   PA