Rio backs Rooney as FA warn him over tirade

14 April 2012

Rio Ferdinand has launched a staunch defence of Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney.

The £27million England striker has come under increasing scrutiny ahead of the Champions League revenge mission against Benfica.

Sir Alex Ferguson has already dismissed the critics, claiming Rooney is suffering due to an acute shortage of meaningful match action over the past six months.

Rooney came under fresh pressure today with reports that the Football Association are to send him a letter warning him about his language after an alleged foul-mouthed tirade at referee Peter Walton in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Reading. But Ferdinand believes it will only take a goal from the 20-year-old to ease the pressure.

He said: "If Wayne had scored against Reading, the questions about him would probably not be being asked. I thought he did well at the weekend and got stronger as the game went on. But, as we all know, strikers are judged on goals. Everyone knows what a quality player he is and once he scores, people will soon be singing his praises again."

Without a goal in Europe since his sensational debut-day hat-trick against Fenerbahce two years ago, Rooney is certainly due a Champions League scoring spree.

And, with a hamstring injury threatening Louis Saha's involvement, Ferguson could be forced to rely on the former Everton star and fellow youngster Cristiano Ronaldo to provide the visitors' main attacking threat.

United are looking to make amends for the 2-1 defeat to the same opponents last term which skittled them out of Europe before Christmas for the first time in a decade.

Ronaldo traded gestures with home fans in last year's match but Ferguson has no plan to offer the Portuguese any specific advice.

"I have not spoken to the boy," he said. "Cristiano is intelligent and he understands the situation. He has been fantastic so far this season, probably our best player. He is growing up terrifically and has a fantastic future ahead of him."

Meanwhile, Gordon Strachan believes Celtic can qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

They host Copenhagen at Celtic Park without a point after their opening Old Trafford defeat in Group F.

But Strachan said: "It's reasonable to expect us to emerge from this group."

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