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Troubled Rooney takes center stage against Albion

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-10-16 11:20

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom - All eyes will be on Wayne Rooney in the wake of another controversial week as Manchester United faces West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford on Saturday.

After a disappointing World Cup, the start to Rooney's season has been dogged by poor form as well as lurid allegations about his private life.

Wayne Rooney reacts during England's Euro 2012 qualifying match against Montenegro on Oct 12. [Photo/Agencies]

He was left out of last month's 3-3 draw at his former club Everton in the aftermath of reports he paid prostitutes for sex while his wife was pregnant with their first child.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson then rested Rooney for a Champions League win in Valencia and a goalless draw at Sunderland because he felt the England international was struggling with an injury.

But Rooney apparently disagrees with that diagnosis and this week claimed he hasn't had any injury problems this season, sparking speculation about possible faultlines in his relationship with Ferguson.

Rooney, who has scored just once in the Premier League this season, has also been linked with a move to Real Madrid and there will be focus on any exchanges between Ferguson and his star striker on Saturday to determine the extent of their rift.

It is sure to overshadow a game that is hugely important to United, which has a chance to move to within two points of Chelsea ahead of the leader's Saturday evening clash at Aston Villa.

Having lost the title for the first time since 2006, midfielder Michael Carrick has revealed United's desperation to bring the championship back to Old Trafford.

The England midfielder won the league in each of his first three campaigns and believes United is hugely motivated after last season's disappointment.

Carrick said: "To win the league in my first season, to win it in my first three years, I was spoilt.

"Last year, it was so disappointing not to win four in a row when we had a good chance.

"That would have been something that maybe would never have been topped. It was a blow.

"But maybe that's why no-one's done it, because it is so hard to do. We were devastated that we hadn't managed to do it."

Ferguson could involve Owen Hargreaves for the first time this season after two years of knee problems.

Hargreaves made a brief appearance as a substitute at Sunderland at the end of last season but it is reported the England defensive midfielder sees this as his last attempt at a comeback.

Agence France-presse