Ferguson backing for 'mature' Rooney after Montenegro red card

Sir Alex Ferguson is prepared to throw Wayne Rooney into Saturday’s Barclays Premier League clash at Liverpool and claims his striker’s discipline has improved.

Rooney has returned to training at Manchester United after being sent off during England’s 2-2 draw in Montenegro.

Ferguson is happy that the red card will not affect his preparation.

The United boss said: ‘I think Wayne has shown tremendous improvement in terms of his temperament, his reaction to tackles and things like that over the past few years.

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‘As maturity comes it brings other things. It brings responsibility and I think he’s improving all the time.

‘It was one of these — how would you put it? — reflex actions by the boy. He’s been tackled and he’s reacted. He’s got the fiery temper, you know, which I don’t think is the worst thing in the world.’

Ferguson, speaking to US radio station SiriusXM, said he had not spoken to Rooney since.

‘I texted him but he’s not got back to me,’ added the United boss, who was asked whether the arrest of Rooney’s father, for his part in an alleged betting scandal, had been a factor.

He replied: ‘I don’t know. I’ve no idea. It’s difficult to say with these things.’