I'll keep Rooney in check, warns Fergie

Alex Ferguson has warned Wayne Rooney will be “stamped down on” if he steps out of line and insists that he will work to keep the 18-year-old’s feet on the ground.

Rooney has made a big impact since his transfer from Everton with a hat-trick against Fenerbahce on his United debut, and he followed that up with another impressive game for England against Wales on Saturday.

United boss Ferguson believes a protective approach will work best with the teenage phenomenon who is certain to play again for England against Azerbaijan tomorrow.

Ferguson told Manchester United Radio: “The next step is to keep the balance of it all. We’ve got to remember his age. We have to remember we want him to be a top player in four or five years’ time.

“That means careful attention like all the young boys at the club. He’ll get the same treatment as everybody else. He’ll get stamped down on if he steps out of line, but he’ll be praised at the right time.

“The most important thing for him is that everybody at Manchester United wants him to do well and he can trust us.”