Search:



The Web

Rediff










Home > Sports > Football > Reuters > Report

Rooney close to Man U debut

Pete Oliver in Manchester | September 24, 2004 18:19 IST

Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney has recovered from the broken bone in his foot and could make his debut for the club in the Champions League next week.

"He's available to play now. What we've got to assess is when we play him," United manager Alex Ferguson said at a news conference on Friday.

"Obviously fitness comes into it and the competitive part in training. But he is doing very well and we're very pleased."

Scans on Thursday showed that the injury Rooney sustained during England's quarter-final against Portugal at Euro 2004 in June had healed.

However the 18-year-old, who United bought from Everton last month in a deal worth 27 million pounds ($48.66 million), is not expected to be involved against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

Rooney will be given a few more days' training to prepare to play some part against Turkish champions Fenerbahce at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

Defender Gary Neville and striker Louis Saha could also return from knee injuries in that Champions League game after training with the first team on Friday.

"They are getting closer and all three of them will certainly be available in the next seven days," Ferguson added.

United will be looking to build on their best result and performance of the season -- Monday's 2-1 win over Liverpool -- by ending Tottenham's unbeaten start under former France national coach Jacques Santini.

"They are fifth top of the league and undefeated. That speaks volumes for the job he has done there," Ferguson said.

"He has created a stability in the back four, so we are in for a tough game tomorrow.

"He's also got three strikers who any club in the premier division would be happy to have."

United, who are eighth, will be boosted by the presence of defender Rio Ferdinand, who made a successful return from his eight-month ban for missing a drugs test against Liverpool.

"Him being back made a hell of a difference to our team," said Ferguson.



Article Tools
Email this article
Top emailed links
Print this article
Write us a letter
Discuss this article



Related Stories


Spurs frustrated by Norwich

Rooney requests transfer

Rooney says Man U was top choice








© Copyright 2004 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.











Copyright © 2004 rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved.