Bursaspor striker Sercan Yildirim does not believe the furore surrounding Wayne Rooney will have a negative effect on Manchester United when the two sides meet at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
Rooney will miss the Champions League encounter after being stretchered out of training on Tuesday with an ankle injury. The 24-year-old might not have played anyway given Sir Alex Ferguson's revelation that the striker has asked to leave the Red Devils.
"Wayne Rooney is one of the best players in the world, who has performed very well for United from a very early age," said Yildirim. "But Manchester United is a team, not just one individual. They have many talented players and whoever takes his place will be just as good."
It is a view shared by coach Ertugrul Saglam, who has had his own player trouble this season.
Twice Saglam has been forced to carpet star man Volkan Sen for going AWOL. On both occasions it was discovered Sen had taken an unsanctioned visit to the United States to visit his girlfriend. Saglam eventually stood Sen down for two matches, and the midfielder is only expected to be on the substitutes' bench tonight.
So, it was with some sympathy that Saglam assessed the plight Ferguson finds himself in.
"These problems occur from time to time with players," said Saglam, whose side are still looking for their first points in Group C after suffering defeats to Valencia and Rangers.
"We have experienced something similar ourselves in the last couple of weeks, so I know what it is like to have player problems.
"But Manchester United have the depth of quality in their squad to know that whoever they put in to replace Rooney is likely to be of a very high standard.
"I certainly don't think it is going to be an advantage for us, or a disadvantage for them."
Source: PA
