Ferguson shrugs off Rooney's bad-tempered reaction after being substituted

Updated on: 17 September,2009 07:29 AM IST |
PA Sport |

Alex Ferguson is not complaining at striker's reaction to being substituted during Man Utd's 1-0 Champions League win over Besiktas

Alex Ferguson is not complaining at striker's reaction to being substituted during Man Utd's 1-0 Champions League win over Besiktas

Sir Alex Ferguson shrugged off Wayne Rooney's bad-tempered reaction to being substituted in Istanbul last night.

The Manchester United striker was replaced after an hour of his side's 1-0 victory over Besiktas after running himself into the ground as a lone front-man.

Given the work he had to do for England in two internationals, and a gruelling examination at Tottenham, when he was part of a side that completed the game with only 10 men, Rooney might have been glad of the break, particularly as Manchester City go to Old Trafford on Sunday.

Instead, Rooney was severely put-out, trudging all the way to the touchline, before shaking his head and throwing his boots to the ground in disgust.

"It was always part of our thoughts to bring Wayne off," confirmed Ferguson.

"He had been playing as the lone striker for an hour, which is why he was always going to come off. He is never pleased to come off. He has so much energy he wants to play all the time."

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Ferguson said he was pleased with the display.

"Being the first game you always want to win, but I was also quite comfortable with the performance, we had good possession and were the better team, keeping our concentration well in what was a fantastic atmosphere," he stated.

"It was a test of our nerve and I think we've done OK. We had a little bit more urgency in the second half.

"We started the second half very well when we almost scored in the first attack, which gave us a lot of impetus to go on."

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