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I'm not a Red devil - Rooney

Wayne Rooney
UNITED striker Wayne Rooney brushed aside concerns over his temperament ahead of England's World Cup clash against the Ukraine on Wednesday by insisting: "I am always in control."

It was the briefest of responses from the 23-year-old after scoring twice in the 4-0 friendly win over Slovakia, coming a week after he punched a corner flag having been sent-off for United at Fulham.

But it was a timely signal to Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson with whom Rooney is alleged to have had a training ground spat over his fiery character.

The incident was revealed by BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson during a debate over Rooney's indiscipline before Saturday's game against Slovakia.

The rumoured bust-up at Carrington with Fergie came in the wake of the 4-1 shock Premier League hammering by Liverpool at Old Trafford.

The hurting striker was then benched at Fulham, supposedly as punishment for the Fergie flare-up.

But Rooney exploded again in London when he was sent-off for a second yellow card in the 2-0 defeat, having come on at half-time for Dimitar Berbatov.

However, he was back on his best behaviour at Wembley with a display that left England captain John Terry in raptures.

"His potential is frightening," he said. "He is very talented and one of the best in the world.

"Wayne is growing into a very mature man both on and off the field.

"We love seeing him play with freedom and he plays very well like it."

Consequences

But Rooney will know that falling out with Fergie can have fatal consequences for your Old Trafford career. He need only have a chat with his England colleague and ex-Red David Beckham.

He could put in calls to Norman Whiteside, Paul McGrath, Paul Ince, Roy Keane and Ruud van Nistelrooy if he wants confirmation that it is not the best route to go down if you want to stick around at United.

If there was a fall-out after the Liverpool match and the knock-on effect against Fulham, Ferguson and United fans will have been delighted with Rooney's reaction against the Slovaks.

Perhaps the lid needed to be lifted off the pressure cooker inside Rooney's head.

In the meantime, his two goals underneath the Wembley arch could fire the Reds again when he returns against Porto at Old Trafford in the Champions League next week after his one-match ban against Villa this Sunday.

"United have got a hell of a player for the rest of the season if Wayne plays like he did on Saturday," says ex-Reds striker Andy Ritchie.

"He was fantastic against Slovakia. He was at the hub of everything. I don't know what went on at United, if anything, but if that is his reaction to something and the frustration of Liverpool and Fulham, then United will gain from it.

"You cannot take the fire out of Wayne because if you do you take half of his game away.

"OK, sometimes it will boil over but a lot of great players have that in their make-up. Eric Cantona was another one at United. I wanted to win as much as the next man but it wasn't in my nature to blow up.

"But some personalities have to let off steam at times, but I'm sure Sir Alex knows how to handle him."

What do you think? Have your say.


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Hitting the corner flag or throwing the ball is nothing to what Fergie has done in the dressing room!

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That headline is a little misleading don't you think ? I think all you media mob need to get off the boys back and find another headline to grab people's attention.

IF any of this is true I hope SAF works it out. I'd hate to see Rooney leave United for ANY reason. Without defending Rooneys temper, I feel SAF should have words with a few players not just Rooney. Others including Ronaldo's behaviour and attitude have required on occasions more than a stiff lecture as well. But it seems not to happen.We all know Sir Alex has his personal faves but it appears to be more evident this season and one has to wonder whether this impacts on the dressing room. I still feel there may be some upset and tension in the sheds and lets face it Ronaldo getting another HUGE pay increase without having done a great deal to back up his previous years performance must be a tad hard to take for some.

SAF has admitted to being unfair to Rooney by sacrificing Rooneys play for the team and he was reduced to having to take a back seat to Ronaldo while Ronaldo's reputation, game and profile were being built.Then Rooney has had injury frustrations only to fight back to face it again with another SAF fave in Berbatov who has yet to convince me he has a quarter of the passion Rooney/Tevez have. I think there is more to his temper flaring than just things not going his way. Yes he needs to control it and channel it in a more productive way but pressure gets to everyone, even footballers and perhaps his passion has led to a build up of frustration and stean that needed to be let off.

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one thing for sure wayne rooney is by far our most important player and yes that includes ronaldo.

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RedHeart

I've said it before - it seems to be Sir Alex is afraid or reluctant to discipline Ronaldo, because he knows it'll add fuel to the madrid fire, and Ronaldo will whinge all summer long about the future and prance around like he's king of the castle.

Ronaldo needs two hands around his throat, never mind an arm around his shoulder - his attitude stinks to high Heaven and he needs to be brought back down to earth.

Drop him and Berbatov for a few weeks and see if the work ethic and attitude improves - if not - ship them out.

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A bust up after a heavy defeat? Is this the first time it has ever happened? Yeah right. I bet there were a few words said to all the players and if anyone beleives that Ronaldo has never been in Fergie's firing line then they are sadly mistaken. SAF is scared of no one even the biggest of star players. But Roo IS a red devil through and through and the rumour mill is only rife because of two back to back defeats. I said it before this International break is the first time I've applauded one and it could do us a power of good. But we will have to wait and see. We are still in the best position of all and by the end of the season it will still be the best position of all.

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"I am always in control." That's about as believable as Ronaldo's claim to not diving.

Until fergie has a word with the pair of them nothing will change.

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Of course you're in control, Wayne, and the corner flag at Craven Cottage is in complete agreement with you!

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Is it just me or does rooney look a better player when playing for England? Perhaps Capello utilizes him better than Fergie.

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Shabi in Bucks, right on the money pal. Rooney is a great player though, and aggression is part of his game. The problem is his stupid child like antics on the field are due to the fact that like most profesional footballers he's not very intelligent, and he has a huge ego, but like a badly behaved child Fergie really needs to stomp on him like only he can.
The problem is, I dont think Fergie has the balls for that any more.

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Of course you're Wayne.

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