Foxy Ferguson sends off mixed Rooney messages

ALEX FERGUSON last night ruled out the prospect of Wayne Rooney making a sensational Champions League return at Old Trafford tonight.

Ferguson said the striker had “no chance’’ of starting in tonight’s Champions League quarter-final second-leg where United will be looking to overcome a 2-1 first leg deficit, before seemingly contradicting himself by offering the tantalising prospect of Rooney being among the subs.

The Manchester United boss claimed last Friday that the 34-goal striker would be missing for between two to four weeks with the ankle injury he suffered in the last minute of last week’s first leg. Rumours surfaced pretty quickly that Rooney could be in action far quicker than that.

And Ferguson admitted that he expected the 24-year-old to try to change the boss’s mind before he confirms his squad an hour before kick-off.

“He has no chance,” was Ferguson’s first response when asked if his star player might be available. “We have made some good progress with the lad and the medical team have done fantastic.

“But I am not prepared to take a risk on a player who is not 100% fit. They are looking more at the Manchester City game, maybe Blackburn as a substitute. That is possible.

“But it is an ankle injury, the same as any other. He is no different to anyone else.”

However asked directly whether Rooney could be on the bench, Ferguson replied: “I don’t think so, although he will maybe talk me into it. It is a difficult one.”

It cannot be discounted either that Ferguson would find some benefit in having an unfit Rooney on the bench, knowing what an effect his presence would have on the home supporters, who the Scot already acknowledges could play a huge part in the outcome.

A more obvious reason to have Rooney on hand is that a European exit tonight will end the most obvious opportunity to add more silverware to the Carling Cup following Saturday’s Premier League loss to Chelsea.

Bayern represent far more important opponents than Blackburn and the desire of Rooney to be involved is not in question either, leaving Ferguson with a conundrum which will not be answered until the teams are announced, even if the United boss feels his star striker made a telling contribution with his first-minute opener last week.

“The away goal does make a difference. There is absolutely no doubt about it because goals are hard to come by in the modern-day game,” he said.

If Rooney is not involved, Ferguson is aware United must get more support to Dimitar Berbatov and retain possession far better than they managed in either the first leg or the first half of the Chelsea game, when the Red Devils were comprehensively outplayed.

Immediately after that game, Ferguson wore a slightly pessimistic air. However, the Scot is now more bullish about booking a third semi-final appearance on the trot and a meeting with either Lyon or Bordeaux.

“I feel stronger about the game than I did on Saturday night,” he said. “The players were all disappointed on Saturday, even at half-time, but they did something about it, which tells you they have plenty in the locker.

“To get to the semi-final of the European Cup is an incentive. It would be a fantastic achievement. Most people would think we have a good chance. I think we have a very good chance. There is still work to be done but this tie is not over.”