Source: Daily_Mail
Keep magic-man Rooney fresh for World Cup! Capello's plea to Fergie
Fabio Capello dined with Sir Alex Ferguson at Wembley on Thursday night and the England manager did not waste the opportunity to issue one particular plea. 'Wayne Rooney is in a magical moment,' said Capello. 'I told Sir Alex, "Please rest him sometimes; he plays every game. I need him more fresh to play in the World Cup".' [LNB]As Sven Goran Eriksson pointed out at an event hosted by the League Managers' Association in the Italian's honour, Ferguson is unlikely to put England's concerns ahead of Manchester United's. 'Knowing him, I don't think he will,' said the Swede.[LNB] But at a time when Capello must feel his plans for this summer's World Cup are starting to unravel, it was certainly worth a try. [LNB] Top dog: Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has excelled this season[LNB]Between the off-the-field scandals and the on-the-field injuryproblems, things look fairly desperate for England's manager right now.Rooney and Frank Lampard aside, the players Capello probably has inmind for that opening World Cup encounter with the USA in Rustenberg onJune 12 are having a pretty tough time. [LNB]Most serious, of course, is the ankle injury Ashley Cole suffered atEverton on Wednesday night. Out for the rest of the season, the world'sbest left back looks a serious World Cup doubt. [LNB]But if Cole's crushing setback significantly weakens the defence, itwasn't exactly rock solid prior to that Landon Donovan challenge. [LNB]Capello: Rooney must rest[LNB][LNB]Glen Johnson is sidelined by a medial ligament injury that will keephim out for at least another month, Rio Ferdinand is battling a chronicback condition and John Terry has to overcome the trauma of beingstripped of the England captaincy as well as the problems his batteredbody often has to contend with. [LNB]David James is finally fit again after months of injury problems,but he is part of a Portsmouth side cemented to the bottom of theBarclays Premier League amid a financial crisis that threatens the veryexistence of the football club. [LNB]In midfield, it is not a great deal more encouraging. Lampard andGareth Barry might have so far steered clear of injury problems but thesame cannot be said of Steven Gerrard and Theo Walcott. [LNB]Which brings Capello to his front line and the question not just ofwhether Rooney can remain at his current level but who will beavailable to operate alongside him.[LNB] Emile Heskey would be his choice, if he can recover from a groininjury and then command a more regular place in Martin O'Neill's AstonVilla side. [LNB]Managing England can be a hugely frustrating experience, as Capellois beginning to find out. 'With England I can prepare something, speakwith the players and then this player is injured,' he said. [LNB]'It is a psychological job to be the manager of a national team, especially the England team.' [LNB]There is nothing quite like it, as Capello no doubt realised when heheard how haunted Graham Taylor remains about his penultimate game asEngland manager. [LNB]'That referee never refereed again. He was taken off the list. Ithought back then, "I would love to meet you again" and I still feellike that. But it doesn't rankle,' Taylor said. No, of course not.[LNB] Sir Alex Ferguson's iron grip on Manchester United star Wayne Rooney: England striker speaks in court over agent's case The story behind the Manchester United protests: Good old days that unite fansValencia looking forward to 'biggest games' of his career against AC MilanMANCHESTER UNITED FC
