Rooney dismisses fitness concerns

Rooney dismisses fitness concerns
(AFP) Monday 26 April 2010

Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney won the Professional Footballers' Association player of the year award at a ceremony on Sunday and then declared his readiness for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

Rooney, currently out of action with a groin injury, is widely regarded as being central to England's chances of winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup later this year.

"I'm good," the 24-year-old Rooney told guests at the PFA dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel in central London. "I'm disappointed to miss a couple of games. Hopefully I will play before the season finishes."

Asked if he'd be fit in time for South Africa, Rooney replied: "No problems for the World Cup." Rooney dismissed suggestions England could not win the FIFA World Cup, which starts in June, without him: "We've got a lot of great players. If I get injured, so be it." He added: "Watching games is very frustrating."

Rooney, asked what would constitute a successful FIFA World Cup for England, said: "Success would be to win the trophy. We prepared well and hopefully we can bring the trophy back home." England have won the FIFA World Cup just once, in 1966 when they triumphed on home soil.

Reigning champions United trail Chelsea by one point in the English Premier League title race with two games remaining and may need a favour from arch rivals Liverpool if they are to overtake the London club. "I'm sure Liverpool will want to beat Chelsea," Rooney said. "They are a proud club and they are still aiming to qualify for Europe."

Asked what had made the difference to a season where he has already scored 34 goals, Rooney replied: "The manager (Sir Alex Ferguson) is playing me in a more central position up front which I've been asking him to do for a few years now and the service has got better.
It's a great feeling to win the player of the year award because it's voted for by the players.
Manchester United Wayne Rooney

"It's a great feeling to win the player of the year award because it's voted for by the players," said Rooney. "It's something I'm really proud of and it's a great honour. I remember coming here in 2005 and 2006 to win the young player of the year. I saw the players winning the main one and it's something I've aimed for since."

Rooney, the first Englishman to win the award since Steven Gerrard in 2006, paid tribute to the influence Ferguson has had on his career. "Sir Alex is a great manager who has really brought me on as a player since I joined United," he said.

Rooney topped a poll of his fellow professionals in England to ensure the senior award stayed at Old Trafford after Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo's double in 2007 and 2008 was followed by United and Wales star Ryan Giggs's success last year. Cesc Fabregas, the Arsenal and Spain midfielder, was third with Chelsea striker Didier Drogba the runner-up.

Aston Villa and England midfielder James Milner won the young player of the year award. "I've been moved into the middle and that suits me as it helps me influence the game a bit more," said Milner, hoping to secure a place in England manager Fabio Capello's FIFA World Cup squad.

Former South Africa international Lucas Radebe, who played in England's Leeds United, won the PFA special merit award for his community work in both countries. "I'm very proud to get such a great award. Sport can change the world - football has played such a big part in lifting my community," said Radebe.

The PFA's Premier League team of the year contains four United players with Arsenal (Fabregas and Thomas Vermaelen), Chelsea (Drogba and Branislav Ivanovic) and Aston Villa (Milner and Richard Dunne) supplying two each.

PFA Premier League team of the year:
Joe Hart (Man City/Birmingham); Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Patrice Evra (Man Utd); Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), James Milner (Aston Villa), Darren Fletcher (Man Utd), Antonio Valencia (Man Utd); Wayne Rooney (Man Utd), Didier Drogba (Chelsea)

Rooney escapes FA action

Rooney escapes FA action
(AFP) Monday 23 March 2009
Print
Email my friend
Share

England striker Wayne Rooney will not face further disciplinary action following the red card he received against Fulham at the weekend. The Manchester United forward was sent-off for two bookable offences during the English Premier League champions' shock 2-0 defeat.

Although he had words with Phil Dowd after being shown the red card, the official has confirmed he was not sworn at by Rooney, an offence which could have led to a longer ban. However, the Football Association (FA) are to write to Rooney, whose temper has been a worry to some within the English game, about his conduct after the former Everton favourite punched a corner flag while leaving the pitch.

An FA spokesman said : "We have clarified with Phil Dowd that there was no abuse from the player after he was dismissed. In relation to the incident when he punched the corner flag, the referee did not see that and we have written to Wayne Rooney reminding him of his responsibilities."

Rooney will now be suspended for one match, the Premier League fixture against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on 5 April.

Ferguson not taking anything for granted despite Champions League Roma win

,not taking anything for granted despite Champions League Roma win

by Barnaby Chesterman 2 hours, 0 minutes ago

*
Buzz Up
*
Print

ROME (AFP) - Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said he was not taking anything for granted despite his side taking a commanding 2-0 lead in their Champions League quarter-final against AS Roma after the first leg in Italy.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney scored the goals as United demonstrated why bookies rate them as the favourites to lift a third Champions League crown in May.

Roma paid for their profligacy in front of goal during a purple patch for 15 minutes after the break while United demonstrated their growing maturity in Europe.

In fact, as Roma left gaps at the back when trying to rescue something from the game, United could and should have scored more goals in the last quarter-hour.
ADVERTISEMENT

Ferguson, though, seemed relieved that they had survived during Roma's onslaught when Christian Panucci and Ludovic Giuly missed good chances while Edwin van der Sar made a wonder one-handed save from Mirko Vucinic.

"It was a marvellous result for us. We showed discipline, composure on the ball," he said.

"The Ronaldo goal changed the game for us. It was a fantastic header and the second half was very difficult for Roma.

"We rode our luck in the second half during the first 15 minutes when Roma had good chances but failed to take them.

"That's where you get little breaks in football."

Roma may have injured talisman and captain Francesco Totti back for the second leg and Ferguson isn't getting carried away.

"You can never take anything for granted in football," he added. "We know about Totti's abilities, he's an inspirational figure for Roma.

"But we hope that at Old Trafford on a European night, we'll be ready for it."

Ferguson also paid tribute to goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, whose crucial stop from a fizzing Vucinic header with the scores at 1-0 ensured United's second goal killed the game.

"That's why he has 120 caps, his experience is vital. He made a fantastic save in the second half," said Ferguson.

"He's a great goalkeeper. He's had one or two injuries recently which has given us a bit of concern but he came through well tonight."

United's first goal came after a sweeping move with the ball switching from left to right before Paul Scholes crossed into the box, where Ronaldo arrived late and at pace to out-jump Marco Cassetti to thump home a header on 39 minutes.

Roma dominated the opening period of the second half but on 66 minutes South Korean Park Ji-Sung stretched to head a deep ball from Wes Brown back into the six-yard box where goalkeeper Doni and Panucci got in each other's way, allowing Rooney to prod home.

Both Ferguson and Roma coach Luciano Spalletti praised Park for his never say die attitude in reaching a ball that looked set to sail out of play for a goal-kick.

"From my angle I don't see how he got it back but he managed to get it back and stretched the goalkeeper to get a touch on it," said Ferguson.

"I don't think Wayne knew where it was at first."

Spalletti said Park's attitude was the difference between the teams.

"It's always the same thing, it boils down to mental strength," he said.

"Players have to go looking for the impossible occasions like on Manchester's second goal.

"If players don't have the right mental attitude they might as well stay at home and not go to Manchester next week for the second leg."

Spalletti, though, agreed with Ferguson that United had generally had the breaks in the match.

"We deserved more, the result didn't reflect what happened on the pitch," he said.

"Now it will be very difficult to qualify but we shouldn't make the mistake of thinking it's all over.

"We've already scored twice away from home in the Champions League this season."

In the last round, Roma won 2-1 at Real Madrid but the difference there was that they were defending a 2-1 lead from the home leg and Madrid also had a player sent off in Spain.

source;http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6279862229384810530