Manchester United FC

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Capello: No Rooney problem

27 Mar 2009 - 14:12:55

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Head coach Fabio Capello doesn't subscribe to the theory that Wayne Rooney's fiery temperament will cause England problems.

Capello called the Manchester United striker a "crazy man" in front of the rest of the squad at their first training session ahead of Saturday's friendly against Slovakia and Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.

The hardline Italian was reported to be unhappy with Rooney's behaviour during United's defeat at Fulham last weekend when he was sent off before striking the corner flag in anger on his way off the pitch.

But despite reminding Rooney and the rest of the squad about their responsibilities, Capello has denied suggestions that he is seeking to curb the striker's combative nature.

"Rooney is a very good player," he said. "He is young, sometimes his reaction is not so good, but he is a good man.

"I think he was angry (at Fulham) because they were losing and he got a red card, but there are no problems with Rooney for the national team or for the future.

"I spoke with him. I was very happy after we spoke and sometimes I think we need to be a bit aggressive during the game.

"But I think the level of aggression has to be balanced, that's very important. I try to (control his temper) but during the game it's impossible to check.

"I was a player and it depends on the moment, it depends on the player, it depends on a lot of things."

Meanwhile, Capello has questioned Harry Redknapp's reaction to Tottenham Hotspur captain Ledley King initially being called up to the squad.

Redknapp accused Capello and the Football Association of a lack of communication and unrealistic expectations after calling up the injury-plagued defender before assessing his ongoing knee problem and ultimately releasing him back to his club after just hours in the England camp.

Capello's response to Redknapp's criticism was to question why the Spurs boss had not complained to the Scottish FA after Alan Hutton was called into their squad despite not playing for three months.

Speaking about his relationship with Redknapp, Capello said: "It is a relationship like with the other members of the Premier League.

"I don't understand why he is talking about Ledley King and not about Hutton and the Scottish manager after he played and was injured for more than two months."

But despite the furore over King, Capello has left the international door open to the defender despite his chronic knee problems.

He added: "We hope (he has an international future), because he's a very interesting player - one of the best centre-backs. But I don't know the future.

"We've followed Ledley King a long time. The last four games he played all the games. For this reason we chose him."