Fergie slams FA over Rooney

Last updated: 21st November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Fergie slams FA over Rooney

Ferguson: With Rooney

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Sir Alex Ferguson has attacked the Football Association for over exposing Wayne Rooney.

The Manchester United chief is renowned for looking after his stars, and he makes sure his prized assets like Rooney are not free to speak to the media unless he gives his approval.

But Ferguson is furious as he feels that Rooney is the man used over and over in the media when on England international duty.

"Every time England go on a trip, who goes on TV? Wayne Rooney, every blinking time," said Ferguson.

"It must get boring asking the same player to do it every time.

"That is because they have sponsors. That is the FA, they love that kind of thing.

"But it is not fair on the player to continually have to do the press all the time. It is the same one all the time."

Rooney captained England against Brazil, but Ferguson insists he is not yet ready to wear the armband on a permanent basis for either club or country.

"I have never really been an advocate of centre forwards being captain," said the United boss.

"You can see the qualities Wayne would give as a captain. He is determined, hungry and has a desire to do well.

"He always tries no matter how your team is playing. He will give 100 per cent.

"These are wonderful qualities for a captain. It exemplifies the spirit of the whole team and players can take that on board.

"But Wayne is not in my thinking to be captain at the moment because he is young and I prefer older players and I prefer midfielders or centre-backs."

Despite preferring midfielder and defenders, Ferguson did previously have Eric Cantona as his skipper.

"Cantona was a terrific captain for us because he imparted great experience to the young lads," he said.

"They loved him and he spent time with them after the game.

"His role as captain was a little bit different from a normal captain."