Wenger still considering whether to stay on at Arsenal despite offer being on the table

Arsene Wenger admits he has yet to make a decision over his long-term future at Arsenal.
Wenger’s contract at the Emirates expires at the end of the season and he has already been offered fresh terms on his existing £7.5million a year deal by owner Stan Kroenke.
But Wenger is a man of honour and is refusing to commit until he is certain that he is the right man to lead his emerging team to trophies.
Decision time: Arsene Wenger was in training ahead of Arsenal's Champions League showdown against Dortmund
Decision time: Arsene Wenger was in training ahead of Arsenal's Champions League showdown against Dortmund
 
Arsenal have not won a major honour since the FA Cup victory over Manchester United on penalties at the Millennium Stadium in 2005.
The Arsenal chief, who is preparing for this evening’s Champions League clash with last season’s finalists Borussia Dortmund, is in no rush.
Wenger said: ‘It’s not a question of my loyalty – I want to feel I can do well for this club. It’s as simple as that.
‘I can build another new team, but haven’t got 17 years, that is for sure.
'I can build another team because in 17 years I had a few teams, but at the minute I’m looking at the short term. I will make a decision about the longer term later.’ 
Wenger is reluctant to make any significant announcements about his future during Arsenal’s sparkling run of form, but admits November will be crunch time for his squad.
Arsenal are two points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League and have beaten Marseille and Napoli in the Champions League.
But they have a tough run of fixtures with Dortmund (twice), Chelsea (Capital One Cup), and Manchester United and Liverpool in the league before the end of November.
Wenger said: ‘We will know more about ourselves after we have played in Dortmund at the end of November. We have always had teams who played good football, but you can play 37 championship games well and lose the decisive 38th.’
Arsenal are also top of their Champions League group after opening up with convincing wins over Marseille and Napoli.
Passion: Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker issues some instructions during the game
Passion: Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker issues some instructions during the game
Backup: Olivier Giroud's understudy Nicklas Bendtner (left) trained alongside Mertesacker
Backup: Olivier Giroud's understudy Nicklas Bendtner (left) trained alongside Mertesacker

Strength in depth: Arsenal embark upon a tough Champions League fixture against Borussia Dortmund
Strength in depth: Arsenal embark upon a tough Champions League fixture against Borussia Dortmund

Standing in the way: But Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp is banned from the touchline
Standing in the way: But Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp is banned from the touchline
On Tuesday they will be without their inspirational midfielder Mathieu Flamini after he was ruled out of the Group F clash with concussion.
Although the Frenchman trained with the team on Monday, he cannot play a competitive game for five days after medical staff confirmed he had mild concussion on Saturday.
Instead he will return for the Premier League clash at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Meanwhile Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny has been offered a new five-year contract after his excellent start to the season.
Szczesny’s existing deal expires at the end of the next season, but Arsenal want to ensure there is no uncertainty regarding the Pole’s future  as he approaches the final  year of his contract.
The goalkeeper, 23, currently earns in the region of £50,000-per-week and will expect a decent pay rise.
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It's do or die for Celtic as boss prepares for double Dutch says Lennon

It has been 12 years since Neil Lennon was the midfield kingpin in a Celtic side that vanquished Ajax to qualify for the Champions League for the first time.
These days, he is in charge of a squad who can consider themselves experienced European practitioners. After all, if you count qualifiers then tonight will be their 21st game in the continent’s elite tournament over the past two seasons.
While the expectation and mentality may have altered since Martin O’Neill’s unit did battle in 2001, this latest reunion with the Dutch champions is no less crucial to the Parkhead club. The pivotal moment in their Group H campaign has now arrived.
Preparation: Neil Lennon is preparing to face Ajax, 12 years after he was a key part of the Celtic side that beat Ajax to qualify for the Champions League for the first time
Preparation: Neil Lennon is preparing to face Ajax, 12 years after he was a key part of the Celtic side that beat Ajax to qualify for the Champions League for the first time

In action: Lennon holds onto the ball in 2001
In action: Lennon holds onto the ball in 2001

After narrow defeats against AC Milan and Barcelona, there is no room for a third hard-luck story. If Celtic are to maintain hope of reproducing last season’s progress to the knockout round then they simply cannot succumb to Frank de Boer’s youthful side.
‘It is a must-not-get-beat, because I’m confident with this team that we can perform away from home,’ insisted Lennon when asked if tonight’s  contest was a must-win encounter.
‘However, winning the game would put us in a really good position within the group. Losing the game, I think, would probably end our aspirations for trying to qualify.
Missing: Celtic skipper Scott Brown is not available for the match
Missing: Celtic skipper Scott Brown is not available for the match

‘For me, getting into the Champions League was massive. Then you look at the group and think: “It is going to be difficult to emulate last year”. But the group is far from away from us this year. These next two games are going to be crucial.’
That was always the destiny of this central double header from the moment Celtic were placed in such an aristocratic section. 
Despite being shorn of key players in captain Scott Brown and Kris Commons, Lennon is confident in the ability of his charges to respond to the pressure they are under in tonight’s home assignment.
Then comes the Amsterdam Arena on November 6. Should Celtic manage at least a win and a draw — and  Barcelona record a pair of wins over Milan — the group would look far rosier. It sounds simple in theory, but the practice will be rather different.
‘It would give us a good chance,’ said Lennon. ‘I don’t want to look too far ahead but, if we could take four out of six — which is a big ask, but do-able — we would then have a home game against Milan that I think we could win as well.
‘If we want to qualify, we need to pick something up in Amsterdam or Barcelona.
‘But we are very wary of Ajax, they can certainly play and they have goals in them.’
The same cannot yet be said of Celtic in the group. Chances came and went against both Milan and Barca, but Lennon is convinced their potency will return now it is needed most. 
‘If we’re not ruthless, then good teams take advantage of it — as Barca did in the previous game,’ he reflected. ‘We won’t dwell on missed chances, I’m just pleased that we are creating them. It’s inevitable that the goals will come.
‘I don’t think anything fazes this team. Last year, it was a first time for many of them at this level but, after the qualifiers and the group stage, we have a wealth of experience.
‘We’ve had pressure games for two or three years and they have handled them quite well.
‘We do have big players missing but there is nothing we can do about that. We also had big players missing when we beat Barcelona last season. 
‘I think the first goal will be vital.’
Joe Ledley (centre) is unlikley to last the full 90 minutes
Joe Ledley (centre) is unlikely to last the full 90 minutes

Lennon will have to weigh up the right midfield balance, with Brown banned and Joe Ledley unlikely to last 90 minutes, but he is adamant Celtic will field a positive line-up.
While clearly respectful of their opponents, two spying trips have also identified weakness for the likes of Georgios Samaras and James Forrest to exploit. 
The first was last month when Ajax were routed 4-0 by PSV Eindhoven, a visit that also allowed Lennon to cast his eye over striker Kolbeinn Sigporsson as a potential transfer target. He was also present on Saturday evening as de Boer’s team were held to a 1-1 draw by FC Twente in Enschede.
‘We have to try to take the game to Ajax when we can,’ Lennon insisted. ‘We’ll have to be patient at times when they have possession, because they do keep the ball very well. 
‘They will see this as an opportunity to win. They will try to take the sting out of the crowd, dictate the tempo and slow it down and we have to try to combat that as best we can.’
Ajax have yet to win away from home this season, either in the Eredivisie or in Europe, and have unquestionably been weakened by losing Toby Alderweireld to Atletico Madrid and Christian Eriksen to Spurs. Then again, the same could be argued about Celtic after the summer departures of Victor  Wanyama, Gary Hooper and Kelvin Wilson.
Key man: James Forrest will look to take advantage of any weaknesses in the Ajax defence
Key man: James Forrest will look to take advantage of any weaknesses in the Ajax defence

Here are two proud clubs who often find themselves at the mercy of those with a lesser history but a richer domestic environment in which to operate.
That situation has become more pronounced in the dozen years since they last met competitively. It was a stunning 3-1 first-leg victory in Amsterdam that created Celtic’s  triumph back then, with a nervy 1-0 defeat at Parkhead not quite enough to turn the aggregate tide.
‘2001 is a long time ago,’ insisted Lennon. ‘People forget the game here when they could have been two up after 15 minutes.
‘But coming through that was a springboard for something we had never experienced before. When you look back on it, we probably didn’t realise how big it was at the time.’

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Lennon backs winger to shine against Dutch after meningitis fears

Neil Lennon has backed James Forrest to deliver the spark that reignites Celtic’s Champions League hopes - just a month after fearing the winger had been struck down by meningitis.
The Parkhead boss revealed for the first time the depth of his concern when Forrest (below) was hospitalised for several days by a mystery virus.
Full recovery: Celtic winger James Forrest was in hospital a month ago but will feature against Ajax
Full recovery: Celtic winger James Forrest was in hospital a month ago but will feature against Ajax

Bright spark: Forrest returned to the line-up to score the equaliser for his side against Hibernian
Bright spark: Forrest returned to the line-up to score the equaliser for his side against Hibernian

Forrest will now be handed a key attacking role in Tuesday night’s crucial Group H encounter against Ajax, with his presence all the more vital after it was confirmed Kris Commons will be sidelined with a hamstring strain.
Lennon has every faith in the 22-year-old’s ability to influence games at the highest level and said: ‘We first thought it could have been meningitis but, thankfully, it wasn’t as serious as that.
‘We haven’t really got to the bottom of what it was. He lost a stone in weight and scared us all, really.
But he has recovered well. The 10 days for the international break gave us a good opportunity to get some conditioning work into him and get his weight back up as well.
‘He was a wee bit apprehensive about starting on Saturday. We wanted to start him, but he was a bit wary. He came on sooner than expected with Kris going off and he looked great. I was really pleased with his contribution.’
Early exit: Forrest came on earlier than manager Neil Lennon hoped after Kris Commons came off injured
Early exit: Forrest came on earlier than manager Neil Lennon hoped after Kris Commons came off injured

Lennon confessed he was worried about Forrest’s health even as he tried to guide Celtic through their opening Champions League defeat against AC Milan.
‘When you hear something like that, you think: “Wow!”,’ he reflected. ‘It just came out of the blue. We thought he’d be OK to travel to Milan but, obviously, he wasn’t. Thankfully, he is over it and looking a lot healthier.’
Forrest scored the dramatic goal against Shakhter Karagandy that took the Parkhead club into the group stage and Lennon believes he can make a significant impact against the Dutch champions as Celtic seek a win that would maintain their last-16 ambitions.
The Parkhead boss is, however, frustrated by the absence of  Commons, who could recover in time for the return match in Amsterdam on November 6.
Impressed: Lennon revealed Forrest lost a stone through illness but made good use of the international break
Impressed: Lennon revealed Forrest lost a stone through illness but made good use of the international break

‘James always gives us another dimension,’ said Lennon. ‘It’s just a shame Kris is injured, because we haven’t really had him and James on the same pitch for a whole Champions League game. It’s great having James back, but it’s massive to lose Kris.
‘There might be expectation on James’ shoulders, but I think he can handle it. I saw him play in Italy against Udinese (in the Europa League) and he was the best player on the pitch. He came on in Moscow last season and changed the game for us.’ 
The absence of Commons is not Celtic’s only selection issue. Captain Scott Brown is  suspended, while Lennon is sceptical about Joe Ledley’s readiness to complete 90 minutes. Right-back Mikael Lustig will be given a late fitness test on a hip problem.
Joe Ledley
Mikael Lustig
Men down: Celtic face Ajax in Champions League without suspended captain Scott Brown (below), while Mikael Lustig (left) and Joe Ledley (right) are both under injury clouds ahead of Tuesday's clash at Parkhead

Celtic's Scott Brown

Suggestions from within the Dutch camp, meanwhile, that Celtic will resort to playing long balls were met with disdain from towering striker Georgios Samaras last night.
‘Probably they didn’t see the video very well,’ Samaras said when asked about Ajax's scouting report.
‘They could not have analysed us very well because, if they did, they would see we don’t play that way. We don’t try to play long balls and go for second balls, we play football. We try to be attacking and score goals.’
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Mourinho blames 'time-waster' keeper Marshall for THAT goal as Chelsea boss is hit with FA charge

Jose Mourinho launched a stinging attack on Cardiff City on Monday night, accusing their manager Malky Mackay of deploying time-wasting tactics which ripped off Chelsea fans.
Mourinho arrived in Germany ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Schalke still seething about being banished to the stands by referee Anthony Taylor during a 4-1 win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. On Monday, Mourinho was charged with improper conduct by the FA.
An FA statement read: 'Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been charged with improper conduct in relation to his behaviour during his side’s game against Cardiff City on Saturday 19 October 2013. Mourinho has until 24 October at 6pm to respond to the charge.'
Dismissal: Jose Mourinho has been charged with improper conduct after being sent to the stands on Saturday
Dismissal: Jose Mourinho has been charged with improper conduct after being sent to the stands on Saturday

Making a point: Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho believes Cardiff's time-wasting was unfair on supporters
Making a point: Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho believes Cardiff's time-wasting was unfair on supporters
The Chelsea manager also told Cardiff  goalkeeper David Marshall he deserved the misfortune that led to an equaliser by Eden Hazard which replays proved should not have been allowed.
Chelsea were 1-0 down when Samuel Eto’o poked the ball away from Marshall as the keeper bounced it in preparation for a kick out of his hands. Referee Taylor allowed play to continue and Hazard slotted home.
Mourinho fumed: ‘Even with space, he took 30 seconds. The goalkeeper has six seconds to have the ball, correct? They had almost half a minute.
‘That’s breaking the rules. We played our game, a difficult game, and we deserved to win. If I was in that game and I was paying for a ticket, I would be worried with the fact that every time the ball was out or stopped and our opponent had to put the ball back in the game, it took an average of 21.5 seconds. That is a waste  of money. You pay for your ticket and every time the game stops you have to wait about half a minute?
No rush: Mourinho claims Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall took an average of 21 seconds to play the ball
‘When you multiply that by the number of times the game was stopped, you pay for 90 minutes but you see 55 or 60. For me, that’s breaking the rules. Scoring a goal with a hand, that breaks the rules.
‘Score a goal that was not a goal, as happened in Germany last week, that’s not funny. In England, there is not any more the goal that is not a goal, but in our time, John Terry was crying in the dressing room because we lost a semi-final in the Champions League and the ball didn’t cross the line.’
Mourinho continued: ‘Samuel did an intelligent action. When I arrived home the first thing I told my kid who likes to play goalkeeper was, "See the goal and don’t do that, eh?"
‘If FIFA says that it’s a foul, it’s a foul but Samuel did well. Maybe the referee did wrong. But in my opinion, that should be allowed as it was for years.’
Clever play? Chelsea's Samuel Eto'o dispossessed Marshall as the Cardiff keeper bounced the ball in the area
Clever play? Chelsea's Samuel Eto'o dispossessed Marshall as the Cardiff keeper bounced the ball in the area


Samuel Eto'o and David Marshall

Mourinho was dismissed from the touchline later in the game by Taylor, for repeatedly leaving his technical area. He watched the rest of the game from the stands.
The Chelsea boss is expected to be hit with a fine, rather than a ban and has been told of the referee’s reasons and will consider them.
He has until Thursday to respond to the charge. If he pleads guilty, he will be hit with an £8,000 fine.
Taylor is due to referee the Aston Villa Everton game this weekend, but he could be demoted for the following week once the marks of the match delegate and the referee’s evaluator have been digested.
Possible demotion: Anthony Taylor will referee Aston Villa v Everton but may be demoted the following week
Possible demotion: Anthony Taylor will referee Aston Villa v Everton but may be demoted the following week

Mourinho was also asked about another controversial 'goal' that occurred in the German Bundesliga this weekend.
Bayer Leverkusen were awarded a goal when striker Stefan Kiessling headed the ball through a hole in the side of the net.
The Chelsea manager said: 'If I was the manager of Leverkusen, I would ask to repeat the game.
Puzzled: Mourinho doesn't understand why the German Bundesliga have failed to spend on goal-line technology
Puzzled: Mourinho doesn't understand why the German Bundesliga have failed to spend on goal-line technology

'If I was the manager of Hoffenheim, I would do the same.

'If I was working in the German Bundesliga - and you are one of the European countries that is not in economical problems - I don't understand why you don't spend a few millions to bring technology on the line.
'If it was the Portuguese or the Greek league, I would say no chance. But with the German one, I don't know why you don't do it.'
Controversy: Stefan Kiessling's header went wide yet landed in the the net through a hole in the side netting
Controversy: Stefan Kiessling's header went wide yet landed in the the net through a hole in the side netting

Tied up: A close up of the knot tied into the net after Leverkusen's Bundesliga match with Hoffenheim
Tied up: A close up of the knot tied into the net after Leverkusen's Bundesliga match with Hoffenheim

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Fergie book won't worry Wayne, insists Moyes after former boss reveals striker asked to leave Old Trafford

David Moyes insists that Sir Alex Ferguson’s new autobiography will not re-open Wayne Rooney’s rift with Manchester United.
Ferguson has repeated his contentious claim that Rooney asked to leave Old Trafford at the end of last season after falling out with his former manager.
The England striker seems to be more settled after a turbulent summer in which he was the subject of a £30million bid from Chelsea, and Moyes is confident that he will not be upset by Ferguson’s new claims.
Spotlight: David Moyes at Tuesday's Champions League press conference
Spotlight: David Moyes at Tuesday's Champions League press conference

Relaxed: Moyes was all smiles as he met the press
Relaxed: Moyes was all smiles as he met the press

Evans above: Moyes, who was joined by Jonny Evans, answered a string of questions on Sir Alex Ferguson's book
Evans above: Moyes, who was joined by Jonny Evans, answered a string of questions on Sir Alex Ferguson's book

No problem: David Moyes says Sir Alex Ferguson's book will not cause any issues for Wayne Rooney
No problem: David Moyes says Sir Alex Ferguson's book will not cause any issues for Wayne Rooney

Reveal: Ferguson wrote that Rooney asked to leave Old Trafford last season
Reveal: Ferguson wrote that Rooney asked to leave Old Trafford last season
Asked if he had any concerns, Moyes said: ‘None. I think Wayne is completely focused on his football. He has been since the first day of pre-season. He is in good form, looking after himself and playing well.
‘Alex Ferguson can do what he wishes. He is his own man. Certainly everyone at Old Trafford will love to hear what he can say, certainly the supporters will. He is someone with great knowledge so I’m sure everyone will enjoy reading it.
‘I’m sure when the time arises I will. I’ve not got much time in this job, that’s for sure.’ 
Misunderstanding: Moyes has revealed that quotes attributed to Patrice Evra saying he could leave Old Trafford were misinterpreted
Misunderstanding: Moyes has revealed that quotes attributed to Patrice Evra saying he could leave Old Trafford were misinterpreted
Moyes confirmed that Adnan Januzaj is eligible for Wednesday night’s game against Real Sociedad at Old Trafford after his promotion to United’s Champions League squad, and that Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley are his chief injury doubts for the Group A tie.
‘Januzaj is now available,’ he said. ‘The way his date of birth and time here works out. He is an exciting young player and he is making good progress. He is an exceptional talent. He is someone who is going to play a big part in the future of Manchester United.’
Moyes, who also dismissed suggestions that Javier Hernandez could be sold in January, believes that Patrice Evra was ‘misinterpreted’ over comments in the French media saying that he could leave United for ‘personal reasons’.
‘I have not spoken to Pat about it,’ he said. ‘I have just seen that today. I don’t know how you in France think about Pat but I know in Manchester we think very highly about him. He is an excellent player, fantastic in the dressing-room and I can only say good things about him.’
Champions League debut: Adnan Januzaj is eligible to face Real Sociedad
Champions League debut: Adnan Januzaj is eligible to face Real Sociedad




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Rooney DID ask to leave United in summer... and his agent also put in transfer request

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Wayne Rooney asked to leave Manchester United at the end of last season, also revealing that the request was repeated by his agent Paul Stretford. 
In his new autobiography, the former Manchester United manager also writes of how Rooney struggles to remain in peak condition compared to players like Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo.

And there is an indirect criticism of England manager Roy Hodgson for allowing Rooney to go on holiday a week before last year’s European Championship.
Once United get going they'll be fine
Ups and downs: Sir Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney had a mixed time together at Manchester United
Ups and downs: Sir Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney had a mixed time together at Manchester United

Ending: Despite a turbulent time together, the pair finished their public relationship with an embrace at Old Trafford
Ending: Despite a turbulent time together, they finished their public relationship with an embrace at Old Trafford

Plead: Rooney and his agent Paul Stretford (above) asked for a move at the end of last season
Plead: Rooney and his agent Paul Stretford (above) asked for a move at the end of last season
Soured: Disagreements on where the club was going and Rooney's role in the side led to transfer requests
Soured: Disagreements on where the club was going and Rooney's role in the side led to transfer requests
Meaty: FErguson devoted a whole chapter of his autobiography to Rooney
Meaty: FErguson devoted a whole chapter of his autobiography to Rooney
On that transfer request at the end of last season - an incident Rooney’s official spokesperson has consistently denied - Ferguson writes: ‘He came into my office the day after we won the league and asked away. He wasn’t happy with being left out for some games and subbed in others. His agent Paul Stretford phoned David Gill with the same message.’
Speaking in October, Rooney said that he had to be 'selfish' under Ferguson because of the disagreements over where best to deploy the England striker.
‘I didn’t feel like I got a consistent run of games up front,’ Rooney said. ‘I actually felt when I played in midfield I did OK, but I didn’t want to play there.
‘Everyone at the club knew that’s where I wanted to play (up front) and that’s why I was disappointed because I got told to play in midfield and I didn’t want to. But I’d always go in and try to help the team, so I think there had to come a point where for my own career I had to be a bit selfish.
‘There’s been a lot of stuff happening and people waiting for me to say whatever, but I’ve spoken to the people who matter at the club and we’ve known ourselves what we’re doing. I’m sure the club made that clear. I didn’t want to come out saying anything.'
Delivered: Manchester United signed Wayne Rooney for £30m from Everton in 2004 at the third attempt
Delivered: Manchester United signed Wayne Rooney for £30m from Everton in 2004 at the third attempt

Rooney
Couldn't believe it: David Gill and Ferguson were dumbfounded at Rooney's actions
Dumbfounded: David Gill and Ferguson could not believe Rooney's actions

Ferguson admitted to being 'dumfounded' at the player's actions when the first transfer request was lodged in 2010.
'I couldn't understand it at all because only months before he'd said he was at the biggest club in the world and he wanted to stay for life. We just don't know what's changed the boy's mind. David (Gill) was shocked, I was shocked,' Ferguson said three years ago.
'I had a meeting with the boy and he reiterated what his agent had said. He wanted to go. I said to him, "Just remember one thing: respect this club. I don't want any nonsense from you, respect your club".
'What we're seeing now in the media is disappointing because we've done everything we can for Wayne Rooney, since the minute he's come to the club. We've always been there as a harbour for him. Any time he's been in trouble, the advice we've given him... I've even been prepared to give him financial advice, many times.'
Fine: Rooney, Darron Gibson (left) and Jonny Evans were reprimanded for a night out in Southport hours before training
Fine: Rooney, Darron Gibson (left) and Jonny Evans were sanctioned for a night out in Southport hours before training. Rooney was left out of United's next match
Indirect criticism of Hodgson: Ferguson felt it was wrong that England let Rooney have a holiday before Euro 2012
Criticism: Ferguson felt it was wrong that England boss Roy Hodgson let Rooney have a holiday before Euro 2012
Away: Rooney took a week in Las Vegas before the tournament
Away: Rooney took a week in Las Vegas before the tournament
Rooney
The 71-year-old confirmed that the club tried to sign Rooney at the age of 14 and 16 before landing him after a blistering start to his Premier League career at Goodison Park.
Ferguson also says he left his successor David Moyes to resolve the situation with the 27-year-old, but in the same ‘Rooney’ chapter he also reflects on an incident in the winter of 2011 when he had to take disciplinary action against the England star.
Ferguson confirms that Rooney joined team-mates Jonny Evans and Darron Gibson on a night out in a Southport hotel and was enraged to discover them ‘weary’ in training the next day. He said they were fined a week’s wages and dropped for their next game against Blackburn, which United lost.
On Rooney’s fitness issues Ferguson talks of how the player needs ‘to be careful’ and states that his qualities as a player can be ‘swallowed up by a lack of fitness’. He then adds that it was ‘not wise’ for England to let him take a holiday at a time when he was recovering from injury before Euro 2012 because he might ‘lose his edge’.
Ferguson also says that last season he noted how Rooney was struggling to beat opponents because he had ‘lost some of his old thrust’. 

Flier: Rooney began his United career in rampant fashion, scoring 17 goals in his first season
Flier: Rooney began his United career in rampant fashion, scoring 17 goals in his first season

Thrust: Ferguson said Rooney started to lose some of the edge he once enjoyed last season
Thrust: Ferguson said Rooney started to lose some of the edge he once enjoyed last season
Rooney is credited in the book with smoothing over a difficult partnership with Ronaldo in 2006 after the Portuguese became public enemy No 1 in England.
There was a brief possibility that Rooney and Ronaldo could never have played together again after a serious breakdown in relationship after the latter winked following the Englishman's sending off during the World Cup quarter-final.
Ferguson hints that Ronaldo could have left the club - saying that they in a Portugal villa where he told the winger that 'walking away isn't courage'. The ex-boss believes Rooney kept the superstar at the club after a phone call helped smooth things over.
Rooney even suggested that the pair take part in a joint interview to show they were united, but that never came to fruition.
Flashpoint: Cristiano Ronaldo helped get Rooney sent off in the 2006 World Cup quarter-final
Flashpoint: Cristiano Ronaldo helped get Rooney sent off in the 2006 World Cup quarter-final

Credit: Rooney is said to be the reason Ronaldo stayed at United after the wink threatened to end his career in England
Credit: Rooney is said to be the reason Ronaldo stayed at United after the World Cup wink threatened to end his career in England
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