Source: Daily_Mail
Rooney rules! But Capello can't count on injured star for clash with Egypt
[LNB]Trophy life: Rooney beams as he holds aloft the Carling Cup infront of his team-mates after scoring a headed winner for ManchesterUnited at Wembley[LNB]Wayne Rooney came off the substitutes' bench to win the Carling Cup for Manchester United yesterday with another brilliant headed goal.[LNB] Rooney struck in the 74th minute to stun Aston Villa, who were angered that Nemanja Vidic was not sent off early in the first half at Wembley for conceding a penalty for fouling Gabriel Agbonlahor. [LNB]But there was bad news for England manager Fabio Capello after it was revealed that Rooney could miss England's friendly against Egypt on Wednesday because of a worrying knee injury. [LNB]After securing his 23rd major trophy as United manager, Sir AlexFerguson said that the 24-year-old striker, whose goal was the eighthwith his head out of his last nine, was feeling discomfort. [LNB]Ferguson said: 'The doctor is assessing it. I don't know what we are going to do; I don't know what England are going to do.'[LNB] Rooney's absence at Wembley on Wednesday would add to a terrible few weeks for Capello. Not only has he stripped John Terry of the captaincy but he has lost Ashley Cole to serious injury, Wayne Bridge to what looks like international retirement and Rio Ferdinand to a chronic back problem.[LNB]VIDEO: Rooney fires United to glory...[LNB]But Rooney is the most important member of the England side and anything that threatens his fitness will be regarded as a major setback. Rooney reported for duty last night and will be assessed by England doctors this morning.[LNB]Villa manager Martin O'Neill will still be smarting today afteraccusing referee Phil Dowd of making an 'inexplicable decision' infailing to dismiss Vidic in the fifth minute for upending Agbonlahor inthe penalty area. Dowd awarded a spot kick but took no action againstthe centre half. [LNB]United recovered from going behind toJames Milner's penalty to win the first domestic trophy of the seasonwith goals from Michael Owen in the 12th minute and Rooney, who came onafter his fellow striker was forced off just before half-time with ahamstring injury. [LNB] Controversy: Gabriel Agbonlahor (right) is fouled by Nemanja Vidic (left) in the penalty area, but the United defender was not sent off or even cautioned[LNB]O'Neill confronted Dowd after the final whistle but refused to make public what was said. Later a clearly still angry O'Neill said: 'It was plain for all to see. It's an inexplicable decision. I don't understand it. It's a goalscoring opportunity. The player is fouled inside the area. It's straightforward from an otherwise fine referee who has got it wrong. It was a major point in the game. [LNB]'It doesn't matter whether the incident was in the first minute or the 89th minute.'[LNB] Vidic said: 'I don't think it was a sending-off. I was in front of him, not behind him. He was going away from goal.' [LNB] Manchester United 2 Aston Villa 1: Ref, you got it so wrong! Fury at Phil Dowd reprieve for Nemanja Vidic as Red Devils claim Carling CupCARLING CUP FINAL - all the action as it happenedEXCLUSIVE: Owen Hargreaves tells Capello: I won't make World CupJames Corden gives Man United stars an aerobics workout for Sports ReliefVilla boss O'Neill rules out succeeding Sir Alex at Manchester United[LNB][LNB] Explore more:People:Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, Martin O'Neill, Michael Owen, Alex Ferguson, Wayne Rooney, James Milner, Fabio Capello, Wayne Bridge, John Terry, Gabriel AgbonlahorPlaces:United Kingdom, Egypt
