Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson broke his silence on Friday over this week's Champions League exit and dismissed media speculation that dropped striker Wayne Rooney's Old Trafford days were numbered.
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The England international only came on as a 73rd- minute substitute against Real Madrid in United's biggest game of the season on Tuesday when his side were 2-1 behind and reduced to 10 men after the controversial dismissal of winger Nani.
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"He will be here next year, you've got my word on that," Ferguson told a news conference. "He will be involved on Sunday (against Chelsea in their FA Cup quarterfinal), no doubt about that.
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"There is absolutely no issue between Wayne Rooney and I, to suggest we don't talk to each other on the training ground is absolute nonsense.
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"He understood the reason for not playing him was completely tactical and I think we were right ... (Danny) Welbeck is the best player we have in terms of operating in a double role."
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It was the first time Ferguson had addressed the media since Tuesday's match when he was too distraught to speak publicly, sending assistant Mike Phelan to the news conference instead after Nani's 56th-minute red card completely changed the game.
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The Portugal winger was sent off in the last 16 second leg match after a high-footed collision with Real defender Alvaro Arbeloa with United leading 1 0 at the time and Ferguson remonstrated angrily on the touchline.
This is great news for United a fans. No matter how bad he's so many people's favourite in that team
Quote from: Shola Sholaz on Mar 09, 2013, 01:17 AM
This is great news for United a fans. No matter how bad he's so many people's favourite in that team
At least now we're assured he is going nowhere. His services are still needed in Manchester United