Sir Alex Ferguson 'may drop Wayne Rooney from side'
Sir Alex Ferguson is said to be considering dropping star striker Wayne Rooney from Manchester United’s starting line-up for tomorrow’s English Premier League match against Everton in light of allegations surrounding the player’s private life.
Rooney was reported by several Sunday newspapers to have solicited the services of a prostitute. That allegation, tied with the fact that Rooney always faces a hostile reception at former club Everton, has led to Ferguson fearing that Rooney’s volatile temper may rear its head at Goodison Park and is considering dropping the 24-year-old, according to The Sun.
The striker managed to keep himself under control during England’s UEFA 2012 European Football Championship qualifying match in Switzerland earlier this week, playing well as he scored the opening goal.
However, Everton fans will undoubtedly be relentless in barracking Rooney about the revelations of his alleged extra-marital affair, adding extra spice to a guaranteed hostile welcome for the player, who had supported the club as a youngster and worked his way through the youth ranks there before moving to United in 2004.
Everton defender Phil Jagielka, with whom Rooney was on international duty with England over the past week, predicted the United striker would face a multitude of verbal taunts. He told reporters that: “There is a good chance he will get slaughtered. He normally gets quite a bit of stick anyway. I can't see that changing come Saturday. I'm sure Wayne can deal with it. He is tough and will let his football do the talking.”
Ferguson has moved to distance himself from any talk about Rooney’s private life or that of any other player. He told reporters that: “Let's put it to bed straight away. I am not discussing any of my players' personal lives.”
Everton boss David Moyes also refused to discuss Rooney at his pre-match press conference. He told reporters that: "I think if you are a good football journalist you don't ask those kind of questions. If you are a gossip journalist you ask me those questions. I am interested in talking about the game and that's what I'll do."
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