Alex Ferguson is ready to call on Wayne Rooney as Manchester United look to restore their battered reputation in Wednesday’s Carling Cup semi-final at Chelsea.

Mighty Manchester United face the humiliating prospect of an FA Cup visit to Exeter on January 18 after the plucky non-leaguers wrote themselves into the history books at Old Trafford.

Blackburn midfielder David Dunn admitted Portsmouth had made life difficult for his team-mates before they sealed a 3-1 First Division victory at Ewood Park.