Rio - Rooney ready to fire

Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney is close to rediscovering his prolific goalscoring form of last season.
Rooney netted 34 times for United last term, but has contributed only two goals from the penalty spot during a difficult current campaign.
The England striker has struggled with injury and off-field issues, but Ferdinand feels Rooney is starting to display his old sharpness.
The 25-year-old is likely to lead the line alongside Dimitar Berbatov against Arsenal on Monday and Ferdinand is happy to have Rooney back in the fold.
"Everyone knows what happened over the last couple of weeks beforehand but Wayne's come back and he's looking sharp," said Ferdinand.
"He didn't score in our last game but he looked sharp and set up a good number of chances for other people.
"It's only a matter of time before he scores and then goes on one of those runs where he scores loads of goals.
"Just having him back around the place in a good mood is fantastic. He's a great lad to have around and long may it continue.
"Arsenal are a good team but I'm concentrating more on what we've got in our dressing room. I'm confident in our team and the individuals as a collective that we can go out there and beat any team and I'll be looking to do that on Monday."
United face Arsenal at Old Trafford before travelling to champions Chelsea on Sunday and Ferdinand acknowledged the importance of the double-header.
He added: "Arsenal and Chelsea are very big games for us. We're playing two of the teams at the top of the league back-to-back. They'll be hard games but games we all enjoy playing in.
"They'll be big spectacles with everybody watching and we'll be going out there to win. Fingers crossed we can do that and if we can it will put us in a great position for the rest of the season."
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Rooney vows to win over fans

Wayne Rooney admits he must prove to fans that he is committed to Manchester United.
The 25-year-old received a mixed reception on his first appearance back at Old Trafford after coming on as a substitute during the 2-0 Premier League win against Wigan at the weekend.
However, the England international, fresh from his ankle injury and the week-long contract saga in October, looked back to his best as he made a scoring return in the UEFA Champions League victory against Rangers at Ibrox on Wednesday night.
And Rooney has vowed to do everything in his power to make the United faithful love him again.
Rooney said on MUTV prior to the Rangers clash: "Not all the fans are going to want to be singing my name all the time or going to want to be cheering me all the time and I fully accept that and understand that.
"But I have to go out and prove to the fans that I am here to stay and I want to work and I want to win things at this club.
"Only I can say how I feel and I know 100 per cent it was nothing to do with money.
"Once I sat down and spoke with the manager, spoke with the owners, they told me how the club was moving forward. The contract negotiations lasted two hours. If it was about money I'd be sitting down for days, months trying to sort that out."
Rooney also rejected claims that he had fallen out with manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who has been critical of the player's advisor Paul Stretford.
"In terms of any falling out with the manager, there's been no falling out whatsoever," he said.
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Roo reveals reaction worry

Wayne Rooney has admitted he was 'worried' about the reaction of the Manchester United faithful upon his return to action at the weekend.
The striker was introduced from the substitutes' bench in the 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic to a mixed reception from the supporters at Old Trafford.
Rooney, who has been recovering from an ankle injury, was appearing for the club for the first time since revealing his doubts over the club's future before inking a new deal with the Red Devils.
Speaking to MUTV, he said: "I've been out for a long time, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about the reaction from the fans but the reception was brilliant and I just tried to help the team win and score goals.
"It (the crowd response) was brilliant. I can understand fans' frustrations with the contract negotiations, obviously it happened in the public eye which made it more difficult.
"But at the end of the day the main thing for myself and the club is that we managed to agree that deal.
"I've signed a new deal to stay here and my long-term future is at Man United."
Rooney also dampened suggestions of friction between him and his team-mates following the speculation over his future at the club.
"The players have been fine," he said.
"There's no problem whatsoever since the negotiations, not before or after. The press have probably made a big issue out of nothing.
"I always made it aware I wanted to be at this club. I had my concerns and voiced my opinion but at the end of the day I'm delighted that my long-term future is at United.
"I want to to help the young players the way Giggsy, Gary Neville and Scholesy have helped me. I want to be here and to continue to make this club successful."
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Evra makes up with Rooney

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Manchester United ace Patrive Evra insists he has no problem with team-mate Wayne Rooney over his contract row.
Frenchman Evra criticised Rooney after his shock revelation that he wanted to quit United before the England striker did a U-turn and signed a new deal at Old Trafford.
Rooney made his return to the United side as a substitute in Saturday's 2-0 win over Wigan after returning from a training stint in America.
Evra was happy to see Rooney back in the fold and he has played down any bust-up with the striker insisting he wants to help the striker recapture his best form.
"It was very good to see him back,' said Evra.
"We are all going to help him get back to his best and scoring goals for United again.
"With Wayne we don't talk about the past, we just think about the future.
"And the future is where he will once again become one of the best players in the world.
"What I said was that the most important thing was the team, not Patrice Evra or Wayne Rooney.
"I never said the players were against him. When someone says they don't trust in the future of United it caused us pain - but it is behind us now."
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Rooney to start against Gers

Sir Alex Ferguson plans to hand Wayne Rooney a starting berth in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League clash with Rangers.
The England international returned to action in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford, emerging from the bench in the 56th minute to a standing ovation from the Red Devils faithful.
Rooney was unable to find the net during his stint on the field, despite the Latics being reduced to nine men shortly after his arrival, with Antolin Alcaraz and Hugo Rodallega both dismissed in a mad three-minute spell.
The 25-year-old had two chances to get on the scoresheet, but saw a powerful header tipped over by Ali Al Habsi before firing weakly at the goalkeeper after being found in space by Nani.
It has been a season of struggle on and off the field for the former Everton ace, with allegations over his private life followed by the contract saga which ended with Rooney putting pen to paper on a new five-year deal.
Ferguson said: "It was a good reception; it will be pleasing for him. It will settle him down and make him realise he is at the right club.
"It was a quiet comeback. He got involved in a few bits of the interplay. He needed 25 minutes or so.
"He will play against Rangers on Wednesday, that is the perfect game for him to come back and get 90 minutes."
Ferguson was quick to admit that United, who remain unbeaten in all competitions this season and are now level on points with Chelsea at the top of the table following the leaders' shock 1-0 defeat at Birmingham, were again not at their best.
He said: "What I'm finding is that we seem to be playing a lot of our best football in the last 20 minutes of games. We need to get more quickness in our play in the first half of matches, I thought we were a bit slow in our build-up.
"We really could have done our goal difference a power of good in the last 20 minutes. We missed a lot of chances and we could have had five or six, easily.
"But if you asked at the start of the day would we take being joint top of the league we would have said yes.
"It was not a great performance, competent and nothing more. We know ourselves that come the second half of the season we will get better."
The Scot felt the Latics were to blame for their own downfall, with skipper Alcaraz sent off by referee Martin Atkinson for two clumsy tackles, while Rodallega followed after a crude two-footed challenge on Rafael.
He said: "I thought Wigan were very aggressive, there were a lot of aggressive challenges which tested the referee throughout the game. They put themselves about there is no doubt about that.
"It was a silly challenge on Darren Fletcher (by Alcaraz), but the second one was clear, I thought the boy Rodallega was off the ground."
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Rooney returns as Red Devils rule

Man of the match: Not too many stand-out performances, but Rafael defended well throughout and attacked with purpose, setting up the second goal and providing numerous other dangerous balls into the box.
Moment of the match: Wayne Rooney's return from the bench sparked a standing ovation from the Old Trafford faithful.
Goal of the match: Evra's effort on the stroke of half-time takes the honours as Wigan still had 11 men on the field at that point.
Save of the match: Ali Al Habsi was in the right place at the right time to push Rooney's powerful header over the bar.
Talking points: When will we see the real Wayne Rooney? Were Wigan unlucky to end up with only nine men on the field?
Wayne Rooney returned for Manchester United but could not find the net as nine-man Wigan were undone at Old Trafford.
Goals in either half from Patrice Evra and substitute Javier Hernandez were enough for Sir Alex Ferguson's side to close the gap on Chelsea, who suffered a shock defeat at Birmingham.
United went ahead on the stroke of half-time when Wigan's defence, which had previously looked so solid, momentarily switched off and were made to pay the price.
Rafael's throw-in on the right found Park Ji-Sung, who turned and swung over a delightful cross to the far post where Evra arrived unmarked to direct his header down and back across the exposed Ali Al Habsi to find the far corner of the net.
Any hopes Wigan had of finding a way back in to the match were crushed with captain Antolin Alcaraz and striker Hugo Rodallega dismissed in the space of three second-half minutes.
Alcaraz was first to go, with two late challenge seeing him collect two yellow cards, while Rodallega was issued with a straight red for a horrible double-footed lunge on Rafael.
With Wigan firmly on the back foot, further United goals were inevitable, with Hernandez heading home from Rafael's inviting cross, while the young Mexican and Rooney both missed glorious chances to add to United's tally.
Roberto Martinez's men had started well, showing from the start however that they were not going to lie down and be rolled over.
The visitors were presented with a fabulous chance in the opening exchanges to stun United when Nemanja Vidic slipped as he tried to clear Charles N'Zogbia's cross.
The ball popped up in the air and Jordi Gomez should have at least hit the target - instead he scooped over to the huge relief of most of those inside Old Trafford.
Nani's free-kick from deep on the left nearly surprised Al Habsi in the Wigan goal, but he managed a scrambled save, before Rodallega charged through the United defence and drove in a shot, but it was straight at Edwin van der Sar.
Al Habsi had to be smart to keep out Nani again but Wigan showed their threat on the break when N'Zogbia swept into the penalty area but his shot - with his right foot rather than his favoured left - was disappointing from a good position.
There was another let-off for United when Ronnie Stam stabbed wide after United's defence looked all at sea again, then N'Zogbia burst between Ferdinand and Rafael and was only denied by Van der Sar coming out to block.
From the corner Rodallega tried the spectacular with an overhead kick but the ball went miles wide.
After so many let-offs the stage seemed set for United to make Wigan pay and so it turned out in the last minute of the half as Evra scored his first goal for three and a half years.
Rooney came on in the 57th minute as he and Paul Scholes replaced Federico Macheda and Park.
Almost immediately the match swung even further in United's favour as Wigan skipper Alcaraz was sent off after picking up his second yellow card for a rash and needless challenge on Darren Fletcher.
Wigan completely lost their heads and two minutes later Rodallega was following his captain down the tunnel after a crazy two-footed challenge on Rafael.
That left Wigan to play for half an hour with just nine men and Ferguson went for the jugular with Hernandez coming on for Michael Carrick.
Rooney, with only a penalty to his name this season, nearly made it 2-0 when he rose above Steve Gohouri and sent a fierce header goalwards only for Al Habsi to tip over.
It did not take long for United to get the goal however as Hernandez's powerful diving header from Rafael's cross easily beat Al Habsi.
Hendry Thomas tried to get Wigan back into it with a long-range free-kick that was easy for Van der Sar before Rooney should have put away the easiest of chances in injury-time.
Nani's cross reached Rooney inside the six-yard box but he did not make good contact and Al Habsi was able to save.
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Martinez fears Rooney return

Roberto Martinez fears Manchester United could unleash a revitalised Wayne Rooney against his Wigan side on Saturday.
Rooney has spent the last month nursing an ankle problem, taking in spells in Dubai and the United States as he worked his way back to full fitness.
United have yet to reveal when they expect the England international to be returned to the first-team fold, but is believed he could be thrust straight back into the action this weekend.
That will put Wigan directly in his sights, and Latics boss Martinez knows all to well how dangerous Rooney can be.
Despite currently enduring something of a goal drought, he has plundered nine in 11 previous outings against Wigan and will be desperate to add to that tally should he be involved at Old Trafford.
Martinez said: "You don't want Wayne Rooney to come back against you.
"He is more than capable of getting back to his best level. How long it will take him, we don't know.
"But when you talk about world-class players, they do not have to be 100 per cent to make an impact in any game. Wayne Rooney will do that when he plays.
"When you have his talent you don't have to be 100 per cent fit or play well for 90 minutes to have an important role."
Martinez knows United, who are the only side still unbeaten in the Premier League this season, are dangerous enough without Rooney and knows his side will be given a tough examination on Saturday regardless of who Sir Alex Ferguson selects.
"At the moment it is going to be as if he is a new player, a fresh player," he added on Rooney.
"You are playing against a team that has found the solution of being unbeaten for 18 games. You are playing against a very professional side.
"But if Rooney plays then the task will be harder because he is one of the best players in world football.
"Any team in world football has a bad spell and you lose games. Manchester United, when they are not at their best, still do not lose.
"That shows they have a fantastic know-how, great experience and a great talent. Now they have Rooney back as well."
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United to check on Rooney

Manchester United are ready to assess the fitness of striker Wayne Rooney on Thursday ahead of the weekend clash against Wigan.
Rooney has returned from the United States after spending a week in Oregon with sponsors Nike to aid his recovery from an ankle injury that has kept him out of action for three weeks.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed the England international will be closely assessed before a decision is made as to whether he will play any part against the Latics at Old Trafford on Saturday.
He told an audience at the Aspire4Sport conference in Doha, Qatar: "Wayne has had a good week in Oregon. He's done well.
"Now, he's back and he will train today (Wednesday).
"We have to assess if he is ready to get into the first team. That is an area which I couldn't give you an answer because the only evidence we will have is on the training field and I'll see that tomorrow (Thursday)."
The 25-year-old had threatened to quit Old Trafford before eventually signing a contract that makes him the highest-paid player in United's 132-year history.
And Ferguson said Rooney had taken 'bad advice' from an agent who is 'not the most popular man in the world'.
"The boy rushed in," he said.
"The minute the response of the public and supporters and press had a say, he changed his mind immediately because he knew he made a mistake.
"He immediately apologised and agreed on a new contract in a couple of hours."
Ferguson said he felt any rift between the fans and Rooney would eventually heal as long as his performance improves.
"I think the evidence will be on the football pitch," he said.
"We want to get Wayne to his best. When that happens, everything will be OK."
Ferguson added: "The minute a footballer becomes more important than a manager, your club is dead.
"The history of this club goes right down the drain.
"I am the most important man at Manchester United. It has to be that way."
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Rooney ready to fly home

Wayne Rooney is to return to Manchester over the weekend after making giant strides in his recovery from an ankle injury.
The striker has made just one appearance as a substitute since the end of September due to the problem and was sent to America for rehabilitation and conditioning work earlier this month.
He is set to fly back to England on Saturday before being assessed by Manchester United's medical team on Monday.
Rooney therefore has no chance of being selected for England's friendly with France next week, although it may not be too much longer before Sir Alex Ferguson has him available again.
Assistant manager Mike Phelan has been encouraged by the reports United have received about the 25-year-old and hopes he will be ready for action soon.
"Wayne has been doing really well," Phelan told Key 103. "He has been training really hard, working morning and afternoon.
"Our people out there who are looking after him have been really pleased with his attitude and approach.
"All being well he can have a nice easy flight back.
"We will see where he is at on Monday but we think he will have improved immensely."
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Five more weeks for Rooney

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson expects Wayne Rooney to be out of action for another five weeks with an ankle problem.
Rooney has not played since the 2-2 draw against West Brom on 16th October, when he came on a substitute for the final 20 minutes.
He was then ruled out of the UEFA Champions League clash with Bursaspor a few days later after suffering an injury in training, as talks over his future at the club dominated the headlines.
The striker has therefore already been sidelined for almost a fortnight with an injury that was initially expected to keep him out for just three weeks.
Ferguson admitted on Friday that he would be out for longer and the England striker is now not likely to be back until early December.
"I think Wayne Rooney will be out for another five weeks," said Ferguson.
"He'll have to pick up his fitness again. I would think five weeks should be about right."
If Ferguson's estimation proves correct then Rooney could miss several vital Premier League games as well as United's three remaining Champions League Group C fixtures.
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Roo set for longer lay-off

Sir Alex Ferguson has said that Wayne Rooney's ankle injury could keep him out for longer than expected.
The Manchester United striker sustained the knock in training last week when his future was seriously placed in doubt after stalling on a new contract and announcing he wanted to leave.
An astonishing U-turn just days later, however, means Rooney will stay at United, but after initially being ruled out for three weeks, there will be a longer wait for his return to action.
It was thought that the 25-year-old would be ready to return for the derby clash with Manchester City on 10th November, but it is now unclear when he will be available to make his comeback.
"I think it may be longer," Ferguson responded to the question whether Rooney would be returning in three weeks.
The Scot also announced that the England international had gone to Dubai to rest his injury, and had nothing to do with getting him out of the intense spotlight he had been under for the past few weeks.
"There is no recovery, it is just rest," Ferguson added.
"Before he went away we did his remedial in terms of what we could do at the time. Thereafter, rest - we're quite happy with that."
"Wayne obviously is still injured and Owen Hargreaves is still recovering from a long-term injury.
"They are the only injuries we have, we have a strong squad at the moment and we hope it stays that way."
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Ronaldo - Rooney will be back

Wayne Rooney has been backed to emerge from his current slump in form by former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Red Devils striker ended a week of feverish speculation over his future by putting pen to paper on a new five-year contract at Old Trafford.
Despite committing himself to the club he joined from Everton in 2004, Rooney remains mired in a dismal run, with his last Premier League goal from open play coming way back in March.
But Ronaldo, who left United for Real Madrid in a world record £80million deal in the summer of 2009, is confident his old colleague will soon be terrorising defences once again.
"Wayne has not started this season very well but he is still a fantastic player and I know that very soon he will be back to show that," Ronaldo told The Sun.
"He has made his decision to stay with United and sign a new contract and we must all respect that. It's not my position to give him advice on that. But I know that things can change very quickly indeed.
"I didn't start this season very well, either. But it is difficult to play at the highest level all the time. I just stayed calm, worked hard and did my job for the team and suddenly I scored a few goals and everything changed.
"Football is like that. Sometimes we play bad and then you score a goal and everyone thinks differently about you. That will happen for Wayne."
And Ronaldo believes veteran manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who he rates as the best in the business alongside Real boss Jose Mourinho, can help the Red Devils overcome their sticky start to the season.
Despite being the only unbeaten side in the top flight this term, United have come under scrutiny for a number of below-par displays, including allowing leads to slip against Fulham, Everton and West Brom.
"When I was in England United won many titles, trophies and cups," Ronaldo said. "Last year they didn't win anything special and this time they don't play so good, but this is just a moment.
"We have to give United time to find themselves again. Although their style is similar, they have bought some different players and they have not always been at 100 per cent. But I am sure that they will be good again very soon.
"For five years I enjoyed working with Sir Alex Ferguson. I always had a good relationship with him and now I think of him as my friend as well as a great manager.
"For me Ferguson and Mourinho are the best managers in the world. One is young and one is older. But they have both won everything in football."
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Owen - No Rooney issues

Manchester United ace Michael Owen does not believe the recent uncertainty surrounding Wayne Rooney affected the club.
Rooney has attracted criticism from some fans after telling Sir Alex Ferguson he had no intention of signing a new contract before carrying out an apparent U-turn and penning a new five-year deal with the Red Devils last week.
The England striker also appeared to question the ambition of the club prior to signing his new deal but Owen believes the contract uncertainty did not affect the club.
Instead Owen, who has suffered a setback in his recovery from injury and is set to be sidelined for a few more weeks, is glad Rooney has committed his long-term future to the club.
He said: "I don't think (there was) any (affect), really.
"Everyone seems to be happy now. The club have got a world-class player signed for five years and obviously Wayne's happy and the manager's happy.
"Wayne is obviously ambitious and the club's ambitious. He wouldn't have signed if he had any doubts.
"I don't think there was a change of mind. The press can look into things like that, the why and what and all the rest of it."
United boss Ferguson revealed both he and the rest of the squad received an apology from Rooney for his comments regarding the club's direction, and Owen feels he was right to do so.
He said: "If there was any confusion, then maybe so.
"A lot has been made out of it but half of it is just to fill papers because of the size of the club and the stature of the player.
"Cutting out all the rubbish, the main thing is that he's signed.
"It's better having Wayne Rooney in your squad than not, so we're all happy in that way."
Footballers earning massive salaries have been branded by some as being out of touch with the rest of society, but Owen insists sweeping generalisations are unfair on many professionals.
"People like to judge footballers as a whole but I think that's pretty unfair," he said.
"Everyone's different. I've met some footballers that are absolutely fantastic people, are always visiting sick kids, they do things for charities, but they don't ask for any press coverage.
"They just go about it because they want to do it. Some don't, but that's not to say they're bad people.
"I think it's dangerous if you generalise and say 'all footballers are this, all footballers are that'.
"We're all individuals, we all do our different things, and the common thing is we all go out on a Saturday afternoon and play on the football pitch.
"But apart from that every footballer's different."
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Manchester United follow Wayne Rooney deal up with new contact for Patrice Evra

According to the Sun, completion of the deal is imminent and comes just days after Evra pledged his loyalty to winning as much as he could with United while adding that despite their slow start to the season, he has every faith the club still have the edge over their Premier League rivals.
“I only stay in Manchester to win trophies and my message is that if people think that United are finished they are making a big mistake,” he said last week. “I say this because it is the truth and I believe it.
“I myself would not play for this club if I knew we were not strong enough to win the league. That is why we all play for Manchester United.”
Meanwhile, it has been reported in the Mirror that Sir Alex Ferguson is set to make an audacious swoop to sign Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina in a bid to secure a long-term replacement for Edwin van der Sar.
The Dutchman turns 40 at the end of this month and, according to United goalkeeping coach Eric Steele, is likely to reject the club’s attempts to extend his contract.
"I think Ed has made his mind up and said this is his last year," Steele told the Manchester Evening News earlier this month. "He is a good pro and a sensible and highly intelligent guy who will know when the time is right. I don't think he will need myself or the manager to tell him that time has come. He will know.
"I think we need him because this team is in transition at the moment. If he gets to Christmas and he thinks it is right to go on and the manager thinks it is right we will make a decision. It is down to how he feels and performs. If he doesn't perform the manager will make the decision. Edwin will as well."
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National game takes battering with no English players up for Fifa's Ballon d'Or award

Even the pride of English football, the Premier League, has been snubbed, with only three players – Cesc Fabregas, Didier Drogba and Asamoah Gyan – included on the 23-man shortlist for the annual award to the world's best footballer.
It is the fewest number of nominations from England's flagship league for a decade.
The shortlist is dominated by Spanish players, who have in recent times been the Premier League's major rivals for nominations. Seven members of Spain's World Cup-winning squad are included.
Ballon d'Or holder Lionel Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Özil are among a total of 11 players nominated from La Liga.
A year ago, four English players – Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and John Terry – were featured on the shortlist. In 2005 there were seven English-born candidates. Yet there can be little complaint.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, one of just six Englishmen currently managing in the Premier League and many people's favourite to succeed Fabio Capello as England manager, put the reasons for a lack of home-grown players in the list down the country's poor showing in the World Cup.
He also pointed to last season's failure by English clubs to go beyond the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Redknapp said only Ashley Cole could have considered himself a possibility – though, as he added, "when does a left-back ever win?"
"No Englishmen jumped out this time," the Spurs manager said. "We were poor in the World Cup and no one had a go in the Champions League so it's a bit difficult to see how we could have someone in there.
"It seems to have been a bad year all round for English football. It is a worry. Only Jack Wilshere looks like he may make it one day."
Fourteen of the players listed reached at least the final of the Champions League, including Inter Milan's Samuel Eto'o, Julio Cesar, Maicon and Wesley Sneijder, but the World Cup and Champions League are not the be-all and end-all.
Gyan, the first Premier League player in more than a decade to be nominated from a club outside the Big Four, did not have great success in either. "How is the Ghanaian in there?" Redknapp asked.
If there are some crumbs of comfort, it is that no French or Italian players were shortlisted either.
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Sir Alex Ferguson claims victory in Wayne Rooney saga down to 24 years of experience

With Rooney pointing to concerns over United’s transfer strategy amid speculation that interest from Manchester City had turned the England forward’s head, Ferguson appeared resigned to losing his leading player at the height of the ‘crisis’ last week.
But Ferguson’s public rebuttal of Rooney’s concerns in two explosive press conferences last Tuesday and Wednesday have since been credited by the player as influencing his decision to sign a five-year contract last Friday.
Ferguson admits that the experience banked from almost 25 years as United manager ultimately ensured that he won the battle to keep Rooney at the club.
Ferguson said: “I don’t think it’s harder for managers to deal with – I’ve just got the benefit of having been at the club for such a long time.
“I have experienced a lot of things that do happen and there have been times in the past when I have gone down the same road.
“When you are the manager of our club, you have to have someone strong who can deal with all the issues and we have had to be strong over the years.
“That’s why I don’t think Manchester United could ever go down the road of having a young manager, to be honest with you.
“It’s a job that needs a lot of experience and a lot of experience at the top end of the game.
“That’s something for the future, but at the moment we have the benefit of my 24 years at the club, so fortunately that’s the way we can deal with it.
“At Manchester United, you can never be surprised. There is always something happening in the club and there are always issues to deal with.
“I don’t think you can deny that we got a lot of publicity that we didn’t enjoy last week, but you have to deal with these situations and I think we dealt with it very well.”
Ferguson’s criticism of agents at the weekend stemmed from the club’s frustration at Rooney’s two-month contract stalemate being leaked to the media.
Although Stretford was roundly criticised throughout the media during the Rooney affair, Ferguson told Sirius XM's 'The Football Show' that agents and representatives benefit from a lack of scrutiny into their actions.
He said: “The modern trend with agents is that they are never criticised by journalists because that is their feeding foundation.
“It is where they get all their stories and complete knowledge of what is happening with a lot of players. That was the area where we were handicapped in really.
“It’s difficult enough to deal with the issue of winning the matches without having the publicity attached to the club which sometimes doesn’t send football out in a good light.
“We want to try to always be a great part of the game and the right reasons for the great part of the game and all the right things of the game.
“But unfortunately last week, we had a couple of days of unfortunate information.”
In Rooney’s absence, the Mexican forward Javier Hernández staked his claim to the Liverpudlian’s mantle as the darling of the United supporters by scoring both goals in the win at Stoke.
The £7 million signing has now scored five goals in 10 appearances and Ferguson admitted that the 22 year-old is an example of the ambition and desire required to succeed at United.
Ferguson said: “The boy has done great and he is an absolute pleasure to have. His training performances and attitude to training are superb. He is always the first in and last one away.
“He wants to be a player and he is showing all the right things. We are really delighted with the boy.
“We made a good move by acting quickly [to sign him] before the World Cup started. If we had waited until after the World Cup, we would have had to pay maybe three times the price.”
Ferguson, whose team face Wolves in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night, insists Sunday’s win at Stoke can prove the launch pad for United’s title charge.
He said: “The result at Stoke has had a galvanising effect on the club and you can see that with the reaction of our supporters, but we have to motor on now.”
Man management over the years
Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest
Clough favoured a physical approach. When Roy Keane cost Nottingham Forest a late equaliser against Crystal Palace, Clough punched him to the dressing room floor. “He got up so I couldn’t have hit him very hard,” Clough reasoned.
Sir Bobby Robson at Newcastle
A fatherly touch helped defuse rows. After Craig Bellamy had thrown a chair at his assistant John Carver at Newcastle airport, Robson dismissed the rest of the squad and asked the striker for a chat. “He asked how my kids were, how they were doing at school,” Bellamy said. “The next thing I knew I was on the plane.”
Fabio Capello at Real Madrid
The Italian has always favoured tough love. He once asked Antonio Cassano, as he stepped out of the shower, “Aren’t you embarrassed to be that fat?” and would often make the striker train with the youth team. “I hated the bastard,” Cassano said. “But I also loved him like a father.”
Bill Shankly at Liverpool
The Scot prided himself on his tight bond with his Liverpool squad but woe betide the player who carried an injury. His response to a limping Tommy Smith is enshrined in Anfield folklore: “Take that bandage off. And what do you mean your knee, it’s Liverpool’s knee!”
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Paper View: football news, transfers, gossip - October 26

Wayne Rooney is winning his battle to be fit for United's derby match with City on November 10 having originally been though to be out for three weeks with an ankle injury. (Times)
Sir Alex Ferguson is said to be preparing to swoop for Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina in a bid to secure a long-term replacement for Edwin van der Sar who is widely expected to call it a day at the end of the season. (Mirror)
Manchester United are looking to secure he services of Patrice Evra until the end of his career and have offered the French defender a four-contract worth £100,000-a-week. (Sun)
Joe Hart has warned Manchester City's Premier League rivals to write them off at their own peril following Saturday's 3-0 defeat to Arsenal. Despite the result Hart is convinced hs side will bounce back and claw their way back into contention. (Sun)
Former Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is understood to have been offered a route back into management with a tax-free £4.5 million two year deal offer from Saudi club Al Hilal. (Mirror)
Matt Le Tissier is the latest footballer to add his voice to those reacting against Wayne Rooney holding Manchester United to ransom telling overpaid players to "get real" and take responsibility. "Footballers need to try and have a bit of perspective on what's going on in life outside their little bubble," he said. (Express)
Joleon Lesctt is the latest Manchester City players to express doubt over his future at the club after being snubbed by manager Roberto Mancini. (Express)
Tony Mowbray is leading the list of likely candidates to replace Gordon Strachan at Middlesbrough. Paul Ince, Phil Brown and Gary Megson are also being considered. (Mail)
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Neville - Rooney deal a boost

Gary Neville admits Wayne Rooney's decision to sign a new Manchester United contract is a boost for everyone except local rivals City.
Rooney's future at Old Trafford was in doubt early last week when Sir Alex Ferguson revealed the striker was not looking to agree a new deal.
City had been favourites to sign the 25-year-old, but the striker performed a U-turn on Friday to sign a fresh five-year deal with United.
Neville is happy that his team-mate will be staying with the Red Devils and believes it is the 'best outcome' for all parties.
In his column for the Sunday Times of Malta, Neville wrote: "When our top players sign long-term contracts it obviously gives us a boost. Wayne is staying and now we look forward to winning trophies with him in our team.
"The main thing is that after a difficult week the best outcome was reached for all parties. Except perhaps Manchester City..."
Rooney is currently recuperating from an ankle injury with his family in Dubai, but could yet be fit for the Manchester derby on 10th November.
Neville is confident that the player will quickly be forgiven for questioning the club's ambition, and added: "He has apologised to the fans and everyone else connected with the club so we have to put it to bed now.
"While there will always be fall-out from an incident like this, as soon as we get back to playing football and Wayne gets back on the pitch it will all be forgotten about.
"The fans have obviously been watching it very closely. While the statement attributed to Wayne last Wednesday didn't go down very well, we all make mistakes in our lives and we've all done things we regret. United fans will accept that.
"He has always given 100% when he has pulled on a United shirt, and that is the overriding factor.
"No one can doubt that he loves playing football for this club and I have no doubt the fans will support him through the rest of his career here."
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Roo pleads for fan patience

Wayne Rooney has no doubts he will soon be back to his best and is determined to prove himself to Manchester United fans again.
The striker ended an intense week of speculation about his future lunchtime when it was confirmed he had agreed a new five-year contract with the Old Trafford outfit.
Rooney will become the highest-paid player in United history, set to earn around £150,000-a-week, having received assurances from the Glazer family about the future direction of the club.
But he will not be able to assist United on the pitch for a little bit as he spends the next three weeks recovering from an ankle injury, which was the cause of so much angst in the first place.
The recovery period will probably include the first Manchester derby of the season at Eastlands on November 10.
However, when he does return shortly afterwards, Rooney is determined to shake off the lethargy that has seen his form collapse to the extent that he has not scored a goal in open play since March.
"I certainly can't wait to pull on the red shirt again," he told MUTV.
"I am gutted to be injured. I just want to be out there playing, get back to form and doing what I do best. And I will be back to my best. I have no worries about that."
Rooney is aware of the upset his outspoken comments, questioning his team-mates' talent, have caused.
He has already been assured of Sir Alex Ferguson's support and Rio Ferdinand has given dressing room approval.
In all probability, United's supporters will be bellowing from the rafters too.
But if there are any remaining dissenters, they will be won over in the only way the Merseysider knows how.
"I am sure the fans have been upset over the past few days with everything they have heard in the media," he said.
"But I care for this club. I want to be here and I want to continue being successful at this club.
"It might take time with some fans. But I am going to be giving 100%, the same as always, to try and build that relationship back."
If there is one thing United's fans should be thankful for, it is that assurances have been received from the Glazer family about funding for the future.
"I have spoken with the manager, David Gill and the Glazers," he said.
"All of them have confirmed to me this is the right club to be at and this club will continue being successful and winning things."
Manchester United fans - are you willing to forgive and forget? Let us know using the form below.
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United call for Roo patience

Manchester United have confirmed there have been 'no developments of note' following a series of meetings regarding the future of Wayne Rooney.
The striker's future at Old Trafford has been the focus of debate since Sir Alex Ferguson revealed on Tuesday that the England international had informed the club he wanted to leave and would not be signing a contract extension.
Prior to United's UEFA Champions League game with Bursaspor on Wednesday evening, Rooney released a statement to outline his reasons for wanting to move on.
Rooney, who turns 25 on Sunday, stated that concerns regarding the club's future ambitions were a key factor in his decision not to extend his deal beyond 2012.
Ferguson discussed the issue again after the 1-0 win over Bursaspor and expressed his wish to put the matter to bed as soon as possible in order to focus on events on the pitch.
The United boss met with chief executive David Gill at Old Trafford on Thursday afternoon and the club also held talks with Rooney's representatives.
Following those discussions, the Red Devils have released a holding statement and have urged fans to be patient as the talks continue.
"We are aware that there is intense public and media interest on the club at the moment, but there are no developments of note to report today," read the statement.
"I can confirm a number of meetings have taken place today, including with the player's representative.
"The outcome of those meetings will become clear in the near future. In the meantime, fans are asked to be patient."
United's local rivals City are currently favourites to sign Rooney, who missed the Bursaspor game with an ankle injury.
Wayne Rooney to sign for in Jan Transfer Window By End of January Transfer Window: Man City 4/6
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