Sir Alex Ferguson will not rush Wayne Rooney back into action as Manchester United target a dream Double.
Ferguson to adopt cautious approach with striker
Sir Alex Ferguson will not rush Wayne Rooney back into action as Manchester United target a dream Double.
The England international aggravated a hip injury during the 2-1 defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend and sat out the UEFA Champions League semi-final victory over Barcelona in midweek.
That set up a showdown with Avram Grant's side in the Moscow final on 21st May, with the Blues now only behind United in the title race on goal difference with two games remaining.
Despite the tight nature of the title race, Ferguson feels it is far more important that Rooney is available for the European showpiece at the Luzhniki Stadium.
And he has full confidence in utilising his Old Trafford squad over the three games which will define their season, starting at home to West Ham on Saturday, live on
Sky Sports 1 and HD1.
Available
The Scot told
Sky Sports News: "It's vital that he's fit for the Champions League final, that's of major importance. We want to make sure he's available for that.
"We're not rushing him, we're not forcing the situation. We'll make sure he is 100 per cent when he does play.
"The squad has done fantastically well, I have nothing but great pleasure in having a squad as good as that has given us a great chance."
Best-ever
Ferguson paid tribute to the atmosphere generated at Old Trafford against Barca on Tuesday night, insisting the fans played a major part in helping the team reach the final, and is hoping for more of the same against the Hammers.
He said: "Winning the game on Tuesday night has given us the biggest boost of all. I may not even need to do a team talk, I'll let the fans do that, they've been fantastic.
"Hopefully we can win the match which will help us go a long way towards winning the league.
"I don't think there's been an atmosphere like that in the ground in my time. There's been great atmospheres and European nights.
"But that's the first time we've won a European semi-final on our own ground in the second leg."
