Fergie puts faith in fallen stars

ALEX FERGUSON is backing his fallen stars to recover from their international disappointments by firing Manchester United to victory at Aston Villa today.

John O’Shea and Darren Fletcher were both left frustrated by poor results for the Republic of Ireland and Scotland respectively but it is the England duo Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand who have suffered most.

Both are facing the dismal prospect of an unexpected summer off as England struggle to reach Euro 2008, a scenario that would almost certainly see the dismissal of Ferguson’s former assistant Steve McClaren after just 18 games in charge.