Source: Daily_Mail
Wayne Rooney can show Mario Balotelli how to grow up, says Alex Ferguson
On his way: Wayne Rooney prepares to board the train to London for Wednesday's clash[LNB]Sir Alex Ferguson has courted ridicule by claiming bad boy Mario Balotelli should follow Wayne Rooney's example on how to grow up. [LNB]In the week when Manchester United star Rooney was charged with swearing at a TV camera after scoring a hat-trick at West Ham, Ferguson's comments could barely be more mis-timed. [LNB]Manchester City striker Balotelli, who has been involved in a series of controversial incidents since his ?24million arrival from Inter Milan,is under pressure to drastically change his ways. [LNB] But Ferguson's advice, given to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport last Thursday ahead of Rooney's latest crime at Upton Park, will leave the United boss red-faced.[LNB]Rooney now faces a Football Association chargeof using offensive, insulting and/or abusive language which carries a two-game suspension if accepted. [LNB]Balotelli's first season at Manchester City has been scarred by a series of controversies. Most recently, the 20-year-old was sent off for what Blues boss Roberto Mancini branded a 'stupid' high kick against Dynamo Kiev. [LNB] Angry man: Wayne Rooney swears into the camera after scoring his hat-trick at West Ham[LNB] Ferguson said: 'He (Balotelli) is a veryemotional player, just like other youngsters that have a high potential.[LNB]'Even Rooney was like that, with an explosive character, with so much will to do things that he overdid it. Now he (Rooney) is 25 and he has matured a lot. But time is needed (for Balotelli).' [LNB]Rooney - who did not appear for the 15-minute 'open' session of training prior to Wednesday's Champions League encounter with Chelsea - will miss the FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City on April 16 in addition to Saturday's Premier League encounter with Fulham at Old Trafford. [LNB] He is currently considering launching an appeal against the ban to have it reduced to one game. United feel their player is being made an example of but are aware Rooney's suspension could be extended if any challenge is deemed to be frivolous. [LNB]None of this concerns Balotelli, with Ferguson urging Mancini to be 'very patient' in how he handles the Italy forward. [LNB]He added: 'Even I have several emotional talents in the team. They are born with that character and that doesn't change in one year. [LNB]Red mist: Mario Balotelli was sent off for this high challenge on Dynamo Kiev's Goran Popov[LNB] 'The problem comes if it creates an imbalance in the changing room. But players can also be inspired by the presence of unconventional characters.'[LNB] Ferguson is hoping that Fernando Torres does not end his goalscoring drought for Chelsea when the two sides meet tomorrow. [LNB]The Spain international has yet to find the back of the net for the Londoners since his ?50m transfer from Liverpool in January, but scored three times against United while with the Reds. [LNB] 'Of course he will start scoring,' Ferguson added in the same Gazzetta interview. 'I just hope he waits a little bit, at least until after the tie against us. [LNB]'When Chelsea signed him, everyone said what a great signing he was, and rightly so. Now everyone says that it was a mistake. Can people be more ridiculous? Of course he needs time to adapt.'[LNB] Where is he? Photographers were denied a picture of Rooney at training[LNB] Ferguson has praised the work done by Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti since taking the reins of the team in the summer of 2009. [LNB]Ancelotti celebrated a Premier League title and FA Cup double in his first season in charge. However, the Italian tactician has come under pressure this season with Chelsea fourth in the Premier League. [LNB]'I cannot understand how you can criticise Ancelotti, who won the double in his first season at Chelsea,' Ferguson said. 'It's the fault of the current media atmosphere.[LNB] 'They invent problems where there are none. I am certain Carlo reacts like me. He ignores the media so that your decisions, your philosophy and your mental health are not affected by it. How can Chelsea think of changing a coach like him?'[LNB] Where's Wayne? Manchester United star missing from training ahead of decision over swearing ban appealFA fight back! Rooney faces ban after being charged over foul-mouthed tirade Martin Samuel: It's hard to avoid whiff of hypocrisy in Rooney's FA charge Graham Poll: About time Roo! FA finally show some backboneAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinionAll the latest Manchester City news, features and opinion [LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Wayne Rooney, Roberto Mancini, Fernando Torres, Mario Balotelli, Carlo Ancelotti Places: Liverpool, Spain, Italy Organisations: Football Association
