Restless Rooney a big hit with Fergie
A year ago it was a different story as Rooney was out of sorts, a slump in form compounded by lurid allegations in early September regarding his private life. Come mid-October, with just two goals to his name and just one of those for United, Rooney stunned everyone at Old Trafford when he stated he wanted to leave the club.
Two days later, and in a dramatic U-turn, Rooney pledged his future to the club by signing a new five-year contract. The start of the new year was effectively like turning over a new leaf for the 25-year-old as the goals began to flow again, scoring 14 in 26 appearances over the second half of the season.
Such form has spilled over into this season with Rooney scoring 13 minutes into last Sunday’s season-opening 2-1 win at West Brom to suggest the campaign ahead could be a significant one. “He’s been flying in pre-season,” said Ferguson.”His fitness is terrific, he has the same energy all the time, he is a restless player on the pitch, he can never stand still. He is a tremendous asset to our squad.’’
With Javier Hernandez still sidelined and with Michael Owen also out with a niggly back problem, Ferguson is limited to either Dimitar Berbatov or Danny Welbeck to start alongside Rooney for tonight’s visit of Spurs.
Although Spurs have not won at Old Trafford since 1989, a run of 26 matches in all competitions, they head to the north west in fine form after thumping Hearts 5-0 in Thursday’s Europa League play-off first leg.
Even Ferguson admits to being “surprised” at the margin of victory as Hearts had already played six competitive matches prior to entertaining a Spurs side for whom it was their first game of the season.
“I watched the game and they played very well,” added Ferguson. “They had too much class for Hearts, and class tells, no matter the level of fitness of teams.”
Ferguson has already said he expects Harry Redknapp’s side to be in the hunt for the championship, which is why he knows an awkward encounter is in prospect tonight. “They did fantastic last year, getting to the quarter-final of the Champions League,” said Ferguson.
“What caught them out in the league (finishing fifth) is because of how far they did get in the Champions League. It maybe drained their resources in terms of the size of the squad, and they had a few injuries at the time anyway. It will be a hard game, it always is against Tottenham. Very seldom do we give them a drubbing or anything like that.”
With defenders Rio Ferdinand (hamstring) and captain Nemanja Vidic (calf) sidelined, it will be a young backline that faces Spurs. Phil Jones, 19, makes his home debut following his £16.5m summer move from Blackburn and will partner 23-year-old Jonny Evans at the heart of the back four, with 21-year-old Chris Smalling at right-back.
Patrice Evra returns at left back to add experience after missing the win over the Baggies with an ankle injury.
Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric is likely to start even though he missed the win at Hearts with a groin problem. Spurs will monitor Peter Crouch’s ankle injury, while Ledley King, William Gallas and Alan Hutton are ruled out.
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