Manchester United manager David Moyes has no plans to give Wayne Rooney a rest just yet.
Moyes is keeping a close eye on the England international, looking for signs his standards might be slipping after a congested recent run of fixtures.
So far, the indications are all positive.
Rooney has been United's stand-out performer so far this season and claimed four assists in his side's Champions League hammering of Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.
So, whilst Moyes accepts it will be hard to keep up such a level of performance indefinitely, there is no need to take Rooney out of the firing line.
"There will be times when we do have to try and look after him," Moyes said.
"At the moment he doesn't need it. I look for any signs of a dip. If I saw them, I would probably look to do so.
"It doesn't need to be just now. A lot of other clubs are playing their players continuously.
"We can rotate but I will wait. If it doesn't come around and I don't need to, I won't do it."
Moyes' predecessor, Sir Alex Ferguson, was of the opinion that Rooney needed to keep playing matches to maintain his condition.
It is a view Moyes shares.
"He is a boy who continually gets better in the games he plays," said the Scot.
"The point I am making is that I want to keep him playing as well as he is doing.
"If he keeps doing it I don't need to worry."
Rooney will be part of the side that faces Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Sunday when, for once, Moyes is under less pressure than opposite number Andre Villas-Boas, whose team suffered a 6-0 hiding at Manchester City last weekend.
Villas-Boas has been criticised given the £108million he has spent on new players. But he has an ally in Moyes.
"When you enter the football management business you expect it," said Moyes.
"Sir Alex (Ferguson) was so successful because he won more than most. But there is no way you can win all the time. It is impossible.
"There are always going to be down days in football. You have to be able to deal with them and work through them.
"I am sure Andre will do it because he is a good coach.
As Tottenham are only a point behind United, who head to White Hart Lane on Sunday, remain in both domestic cup competitions and are already through to the knockout stages of the Europa League, it could hardly be described as a disastrous season.
"Tottenham are not that far away," said Moyes.
"Sometimes people can get a little bit ahead of themselves. Personally I don't see him being under pressure."
Source: PA
