Rooney must wait to earn his spurs

ALEX FERGUSON will keep Wayne Rooney straining at the leash today as Manchester United look to maintain the winning habit at Tottenham.

Ferguson confirmed yesterday that Rooney had been the all-clear to resume his career following the latest scan on the foot he broke on England duty during Euro 2004.

However, rather than pitching the £27million teenager straight into his squad for the Premiership trip to White Hart Lane, the Red Devils chief has left the striker in Manchester in readiness for a likely Old Trafford debut against either Fenerbahce on Tuesday or Middlesbrough on October 3.

“Wayne’s scan yesterday was clear, so he is available to play now,” said Ferguson.

“What we have got to do is decide when to play him.

“Fitness comes into it but he is doing very well and we are very pleased with him.”

Rooney was able to take a full part in training yesterday, where he was joined by fellow recent injury victims Louis Saha and Gary Neville.

Ferguson expects all three to be available for the Middlesbrough encounter, and possibly before, finally ending the early-season injury jinx that has been a major factor in United’s relatively poor form.

“The situation is getting better, that’s for sure,” said the United boss.

“Louis, Gary and Wayne have all trained and I expect all three to be available within the next seven days.”

Rooney’s eagerly-anticipated debut should provide a further lift to a side who put their early season woes behind them with a magnificent first-half display against Liverpool which inspired United to their eventual 2-1 victory.

After three successive draws, it was exactly the result required, particularly as it also marked the return of Rio Ferdinand from his eight-month suspension.

“Rio being back made a big difference to our team,” admitted Ferguson, who will look to keep the same starting line-up which dominated Rafael Benitez’s men.

Under new coach Jacques Santini, Spurs have discovered the defensive solidity they have lacked for so many years, to the extent that Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho launched a scathing attack on their negative approach at Stamford Bridge last weekend.

Ferguson, however, is complimentary about the impact Santini has had.

“Jacques has done a terrific job,” he said.

“They are fifth in the league and undefeated. That speaks volumes for the work that has been done there.

“He has created a stability in the back four and they are not losing goals. We know we are in for a tough game.”

Ferguson shrugged off the pre-match claims of Spurs defender Nourredine Naybet that United’s era of dominance is now at an end, insisting he had the utmost respect for the Moroccan defender and actually tried to sign him earlier in his career.

“The comments don’t concern me too much,” he said.

“I know the game. The question could easily be posed, ‘Are Arsenal the best side in the country’. He could say they are.

“I think he has been led into it a little bit. With his experience, I would be surprised if he was silly enough to say anything like that.”

Of far more interest to Ferguson is finding a way to stop Tottenham’s trio of top-class strikers.

Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and Freddie Kanoute can provide a lethal combination no matter what selection policy Santini adopts, which is why Ferguson is no doubt relieved to be able to name the same back four that started against Liverpool, with Wes Brown occupying the full-back berth vacated by Neville.