Ferguson: Rooney Will Be Vital At Anfield
Sir Alex Ferguson is confident Wayne Rooney will return to making headlines for his football ability after a week where the 19-year-old's temperament had been called into question.
Rooney was sent off against Villarreal on Wednesday in the Champions League Group D opener. But, on Friday, his manager was keen to go against the tide of media attention that has been afforded to the striker's fiery nature.
"He will put in a good performance on Sunday because that is what he's capable of," Ferguson said confidently. "He's been doing that all the time for us. He's always been a fantastic performer for us."
The United boss knows the prodigious talent he has under his wing will have to learn to deal with the media spotlight similar to the likes of Roy Keane, David Beckham, Eric Cantona and George Best before him.
"It's quite simple, he's such a high profile player. We're not surprised by the media focus on him. That's the way of the world and the nature of the press. They did it with Gascoigne, Beckham, Cantona and Best."
The positive aspect is that Ferguson is no stranger to dealing with combustible characters.
"We'll handle the situation because we have the experience to do it," Sir Alex said, though clearly not wanting to over-play the issue. "We're not going to get into that [analysing Rooney's temperament in public]. It could just go on and on."
Rather than the heated Anfield atmosphere having an adverse effect on Rooney, Ferguson believes he will thrive on it.
"It's the kind of atmosphere that good players respond to. It's a derby game against Liverpool and it is always an exciting event.
"I love this fixture," Sir Alex added. "Manchester United-Liverpool games always offer an incredible stage for the players to perform on. The atmosphere will be electric at Anfield. It puts players on a real edge for the game."
Report by Ben Hibbs, at Carrington.
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