Source: Team_Talk
Fergie: I was right to leave out Rooney
Sir Alex Ferguson has no regrets about leaving Manchester United's Wayne Rooney out against Everton - and no concerns about him facing Rangers.[LNB] The Red Devils manager restated his decision on Saturday was based purely on a desire to shield Rooney from what he thought would be a venomous attack from the home supporters at Goodison Park.[LNB]But, on home soil, Rooney will be let loose on the Scottish champions in Tuesday night's Champions League Group C opener.[LNB]"I have no regrets - I did the right thing," said Ferguson.[LNB]"And I have no concerns about playing him tomorrow at all."[LNB]There have been suggestions since Saturday's 3-3 draw that Ferguson left Rooney out as punishment over the off-field allegations that have been made against him.[LNB]However, the United boss insists that version is not true.[LNB]"I have no need to clear it up," he retorted.[LNB]"I explained the reasons on Saturday. There is nothing beyond that.[LNB]"I don't know if tomorrow will inspire him. He has a lot of experience behind him.[LNB]"But I do know scoring for England last week will have given him a boost."[LNB]As a former team-mate of Rooney from their days at Everton, Rangers captain David Weir knows the 24-year-old well.[LNB]And he feels if the Rangers fans have any intention of trying to make life uncomfortable for Rooney, they would be better served not bothering.[LNB]"I am more interested in Wayne Rooney as a footballer and I don't think there is any need to give him any encouragement," said the veteran defender.[LNB]"He is one of the best players in the world."[LNB]Weir still remembers seeing Rooney breaking into the Everton first-team set-up and what an impact he made.[LNB]"He was only 16 but he took to it like a duck to water," he said.[LNB]"He scored some great goals; some famous goals like the one against Arsenal that launched his career.[LNB]"Since then he has gone from strength to strength.[LNB]"Everyone loved him and it is great to see him doing so well, although I am not sure having played with him will give me any kind of advantage tomorrow."[LNB]Rangers manager Walter Smith had left Goodison Park before Rooney made his big first-team breakthrough, having been denied the chance to play him because of his age.[LNB]"We weren't allowed to do it," recalled Smith.[LNB]"But he was an outstanding young player - the best I have seen in my own career.[LNB]"There is no doubt he has made his mark in football already and he has a tremendous amount of football to play in future."
