Premier League - Fitness battle for Rooney

Eurosport - Fri, 23 Oct 12:38:00 2009

Wayne Rooney will undergo a late fitness test as he bids to play for Manchester United against Liverpool on Sunday.

2009-2010 Manchester United Wayne Rooney in training - 0

The striker has missed two club games after injuring a calf muscle on England duty, and is a major doubt to face United's arch-rivals.

The former Everton man will be assessed on Saturday before a decision is made over his participation at Anfield.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "On the injury front I can't give a clear picture, there are still some doubts about Rooney and (Darren) Fletcher.

"(Rooney) is always desperate to play, that's the nature of the boy. Of course, you can't let that cloud the realistic side of things.

"It's going to be important how he does in training on Saturday. We'll see if Wayne does train on Saturday and then we'll have a better idea."

Patrice Evra and Ryan Giggs Have both been passed fit after missing Wednesday's Champions League game against CSKA Moscow in Russia, but Korean midfielder Park Ji-Sung is still out.

Ferguson also claimed Liverpool's recent poor form will count for nothing, saying: "Derby games are derby games and anyone can win it. It has happened so many times and strange things can happen.

"I am not interested in their league form, I am more pleased with the kind of form we are in. We are consistent and consistent is important."

Liverpool's worst run of form for 22 years continued on Tuesday when they lost to Lyon at home in a Champions League group match.

Previous defeats to Fiorentina, Chelsea and Sunderland have turned the spotlight on manager Rafa Benitez like never before in his six-season tenure.

With Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard unlikely to be fit for the United match, a loss this weekend could prove terminal for Benitez's ambitions on Merseyside.

Manchester City consider themselves United's biggest rivals because of the proximity of the two clubs but Ferguson said United v Liverpool would always be a superior contest.

"Manchester United and Liverpool games, as I have said many times, are massive games," Ferguson said. "That will never change and as far as I am concerned it remains the game."

United lead the Premier League by one point from Chelsea, while Liverpool are seven points behind in eighth place.

Liverpool won 2-1 at Anfield last season before shocking the eventual Premier League champions 4-1 at Old Trafford in a stunning performance.

However, Ferguson said those matches would have no bearing on Sunday's game.

"Different games are shaped differently by the circumstances of those games and you cannot look at last season as a barometer of our form or Liverpool's form," he said.

Alex Chick + Reuters / Eurosport

Comment 156 - 175 of 175

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  1. The pressure will be on Liverpool and that makes them a­ dangerous opponent but as usual Man-u will rise up to­ the task....LONG LIVE THE CHAMPIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From Peter, on Sat 24 Oct 4:04PM

  2. We all know what will happen on Sunday, it will be a­ close game, few chances and Man U will nick it in the­ 8th minute of injury time with a deflected offside­ penalty.

    From Paul, on Sat 24 Oct 11:22AM

  3. Ooh, will Rooney be fit or wont he ? Fergie at the mind­ games again, every time theres a big game he pretends­ one of his big players is a doubt and every time the­ player turns out to be fit. Anybody want a bet that­ Shrek starts the game ?

    From Paul, on Sat 24 Oct 11:21AM

  4. I have a couple of spare tickets for Liverpool's­ end of season bash this coming sunday anyone­ interested?

    From citydave356, on Sat 24 Oct 11:03AM

  5. COME ON RED DEVILS!!!

    From Bali Tenno, on Sat 24 Oct 11:01AM

  6. post 164,i wonder if you would care to repeat those­ sentiments anywhere else other than in complete­ ananimity.

    From JOHN, on Sat 24 Oct 10:44AM

  7. nothing much to say, both teams are strong and­ ambitious.. the only thing separate them is the form­ and morale.. glory2 man united!!

    From Ben, on Sat 24 Oct 7:49AM

  8. j b..if you would reverse your weird sounding name,if­­ would suit you entirely/perfectly!!!!...another sad­­ 'bin dipper' trashing himself up &­­ down,prior to the match!!!..well done son,you­ typically­ typified yourself from my last insightful­ comments,of­ the entire meaning of a true 'bin­­ dipper'!!!...nevermind if you dont understand,cos­­ that's what you're,really!!!...
    foraging at­ its­ best!!!...lol...stamped!!..
    you had just­ embarrass­ yourself to the whole wide audience of Lfc­ if not rival­ fans & your indebted­ parent!!!..you'hv done­ yourself­ proud,indeed!!!..imao!!...clap clap­ clap!!!!..another­ sad case of a bed ridden 'bin­ dipper',found­ himself wanting alongside that,low lying disfigured­ filthy creep,FoeyP!!!.....lol....stay clear!!!...

    From Those Rats likes Bin dippin for free Cheeseburger, on Sat 24 Oct 5:35AM

  9. j b..if you would reverse your weird sounding name,if­ would suit you entirely/perfectly!!!!...another sad­ 'bin dipper' trashing himself up &­ down,prior to the match!!!..well done son,you typically­ typified yourself from my last insightful comments,of­ the entire meaning of a true 'bin­ dipper'!!!...nevermind if you dont understand,cos­ that's what you're,really!!!...
    foraging at its­ best!!!...lol...stamped!!..
    you had just embarrass­ yourself to the whole wide audience of Lfc if not rival­ fans & your indebted parent!!!..you'hv done­ yourself proud,indeed!!!..imao!!...clap clap­ clap!!!!.....another sad case of a bed ridden 'bin­ dipper',found wanting!!!...

    From Those Rats likes Bin dippin for free Cheeseburger, on Sat 24 Oct 5:30AM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Rooney is a fat @#$%,too many pies,shags old grannies­ as well,dirty vermin,lol.

    From j b, on Sat 24 Oct 4:17AM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Don't care if Ronney play or not. He doesn't­ make a difference anyway. Liverpool still beat MU by­ 2-0. MARK MY WORDS!!

    From mun c, on Sat 24 Oct 3:33AM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Don't care if Ronney play or not. He doesn't­ make a difference anyway. Liverpool still beat MU by­ 2-0. MARK MY WORDS!!

    From mun c, on Sat 24 Oct 3:33AM

  13. i hope scumerpool get humped, scousers are all low life­ unemployed violent drug taking scum, pure vermin

    From sirstevejones, on Sat 24 Oct 3:06AM

  14. zzz - SAD ACT FERGIE wheels out his usual BULL. Every­ single time there is a key or grudge match, he­ announces one of his stars is 'highly doubtful'­ when he knows damn well they are fit. In his sad little­ warped mind this will cause depressoin in his oppts­ when they see the 'injured' player on the­ teamsheet. FFS man, at least come up with some ORIGINAL­ bull - this one's so old it's getting hairy­ ears!

    From David, on Sat 24 Oct 2:41AM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Would you like to make friends with people from other­ country or place?
    Log on--------- T ALL Cha t ---C o m­ ----
    Then you can get help and suggestions from all­ over the world.
    While you may find your true love or­ friendship there.

    From kojanet26, on Sat 24 Oct 1:56AM

  16. BY DA WAY I MISH ME WEMON VERAY MACH A HOVINAY SEEN ER­ IN 4 WEEKS. AL DA BEST ANNA.

    From Donney, on Sat 24 Oct 1:55AM

  17. I LIKE W ANKANG YESH.

    From Donney, on Sat 24 Oct 1:49AM

  18. chicken liver your an even biger noob

    From RORY BREAKER, on Sat 24 Oct 1:20AM

  19. donney you must be sexually frustrated all that wankan­ has made you post crazy talk

    From RORY BREAKER, on Sat 24 Oct 1:18AM

  20. chicken liver i think u will find nobody wants u­ breathing anymore. so please stop and the world would­ appreciate it. u KKUUNNTT.

    From Jon T, on Sat 24 Oct 1:02AM
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