UEFA Delays Rooney Ban Explanation

UEFA is to delay giving a written explanation to the Footbal Association over the reasons for Wayne Rooney's three-match ban by at least another week. Rooney, 26, was handed a straight red card in England's 2-2 Euro 2012 qualifying draw with Montenegro for kicking out at Miodrag Dzudovic. 


The Manchester United striker was subsequently hit with a three-match ban by UEFA, meaning he is set to miss the entire group stage of Euro 2012.

UEFA has yet to provide the FA with written reasons regarding the suspension, and England's footballing body is waiting to receive the explanation before deciding to appeal the decision.

UEFA said the delay was because they had prioritised disciplinary cases with players connected to countries playing in the Euro 2012 play-offs.

A UEFA spokesman said: ''Due to the urgency of disciplinary cases connected to the UEFA EURO 2012 play-off matches, we will deal with sending the full reasoned decision on Wayne Rooney to the FA in due course.''

An FA statement read: "The FA has today been advised by UEFA that we may not be provided with the written reasons regarding Wayne Rooney's three match suspension for another week at a minimum.

"Once the reasons are received, The FA will determine on any appeal after discussions with Fabio Capello and Wayne Rooney."

Cup Game Perfect for Sir Alex

Manchester United eased into the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup on Tuesday night with a 3-0 victory at League Two side Aldershot Town, with manager Sir Alex Ferguson pleased to give his fringe players a run out. 

Michael Owen, Dimitar Berbatov and Antonio Valencia - with only three Premier League starts between them - were all on target for the Red Devils.

Nemanja Vidic, surprising left out of the mauling at the hands of Manchester City on Sunday, got vital game time as he looks to improve his fitness after a stop-start campaign while Tom Cleverley returned from a six-week lay-off.

Sir Alex said: "They'll always give me nudges. It's difficult picking a team when you've got so many good players.

"We have a fantastic squad. That's why I had to play these players. They need the games, they've not had many first-team games to be honest with you because the consistency of the team has been very good - we've not needed to make any changes.

"But there's Michael Owen - every time he plays, he scores. It's a fantastic record he's got. He's a fantastic professional. Dimitar Berbatov had a fantastic game and scored a tremendous goal from great football.

"So they've all done well; Valencia, Thomas Cleverley back is a good thing for us because the boy's an outstanding footballer. Vida's got another 90 behind him. I think he needed it. Until he got his breathing going, he was feeling it.

"Obviously, we had a difficult day on Sunday simply because we tried to play the history book. The nature of Manchester United is to go and win the game, whether it's eight men, nine men, 10 men or seven men. That's their nature and it's very difficult to change that.''

Owen Targeting Cup Glory

Micheal Owen has warned Tuesday night's opponents Aldershot Town that Manchester United have their sights set on lifting the Carling Cup.United travel to League Two side Aldershot in the fourth round of the Carling Cup, the Red Devils having won the competition twice in the last three years.

Owen is expected to play a part at the Recreation Ground and is eagerly anticipating the challenge of continuing United's success on the Carling Cup stage.

He told MUTV: "It's a competition we want to do well in. We've done quite well in the Carling Cup over the years and we want to progress and win a trophy. That's the end game.

"It's obviously going to be a massive game for Aldershot with Manchester United coming into town. I'm sure it'll be a full house and we're treating it as an important game as well."

In the previous round against Leeds, manager Sir Alex Ferguson selected the likes of Owen, Dimitar Berbatov, Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick, Antonio Valencia and Park Ji-sung.

Fletcher Feels for Man United Fans

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher feels for the club's fans after the 6-1 drubbing in the Manchester derby, but says the players are hurting just as much. "We realise how much this result has hurt the fans and how they'll go into work on Monday and get a lot of stick, but the players are hurting just as much. We live in the city too and we're going to have to deal with it as well," Fletcher told MUTV.

"No-one wants to lose by the margin we did today, but you've always got to look at positives and say you can lose by that score or lose 1-0 and it's still the same amount of points [to lose].

"I said to the lads in the dressing room afterwards that we need to remember how it feels to lose a game like this, but to remember that no medals are handed out now.

"There's still a long way to go in the season. It's a bad result, but by no means is the league over. We've got to respond and win our next game."

The 6-1 result was United's first home defeat since April 2010, and it ended their run of 19 consecutive home league wins.

Vidic Retires from International Football

Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic has confirmed his retirement from international football in the wake of   Serbia's failure to qualify for next summer's European Championship.


Vidic, 29, has established himself as one of the world's finest defenders since moving to United five years ago, though it was with Serbia that he first attracted the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson when playing in the defence that conceded just one goal in qualifying for the 2006 World Cup.


But the former Spartak Moscow centre-back has decided to bring down the curtain on his international career, citing criticism of his commitment to the national team and a desire to give younger players the opportunity to play for Serbia as the major factors.

"The main reason for this decision is that for a long time, especially in light of recent events, the media and therefore the public, have criticised my attitude towards the national team. Even though I played for the national team injured," Vidic said.

"Also, I do not want to be a burden for the new generation of players. I owe gratitude to the fans, all the selectors and coaches and teammates with whom I worked in the past ten years."

Vidic made his international debut against Italy in 2002 and has played 56 times for Serbia since then, representing his country at the 2010 World Cup.

An Serbian Football Federation statement read: "The Football Association of Serbia wishes to thank Nemanja Vidic for everything he has provided for Serbian football, especially playing for the national team.

"His behaviour, commitment and attitude towards the national team deserves praise and a special place in the history of this sport in our country.

"While we respect his decision, we want to emphasise the door to the national team is not closed and, should all the conditions be met, it would be a great honour if he rejoined the team.''

Vidic Set for Euro Return, Rio Out

Rio Ferdinand was not among Manchester United 's travelling party as the squad prepared to fly out for their Champions League clash with Otelul Galati.

United are looking for their first win of their European campaign following draws with Benfica and Basel in the group stages, and they travel to Romania without one of their main centre-backs.

Ferdinand played every minute of the Red Devils' 1-1 draw with Liverpool at the weekend, but he will now be rested ahead of their forthcoming Premier League showdown with Manchester City.

Ferdinand has struggled to string a run of games together in recent season's due to a persistent back problem and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is selective over when and where the 32-year-old should play.

There is an able deputy flying out to Romania though, with fellow centre-back Nemanja Vidicset for a return to action following a recent spell on the sidelines.

Vidic played for Serbia last week after finally recovering from the calf injury he suffered against West Brom in United's opening match of the season but was rested for the Liverpool clash.

Dimitar Berbatov, who also missed the Anfield contest, is included in the squad while Phil Jones has recovered from a knock he picked up on Saturday.

Tom Cleverley (foot) and Rafael (shoulder) remain on the sidelines, although they are nearing a return to full fitness.

Ferdinand: I Have Plenty to Offer

Ferdinand, 32, is well aware the rapid rise of Phil Jones has led to questions being asked about his own contributions for Manchester United and England. But after an impressive display in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Liverpool, Ferdinand confirmed he has no desire to step aside.

"I have had people writing me off many times in my career," he said. "I just go out and play. I am confident in my own ability.

"Whatever anyone writes doesn't bother me whether it is good or bad. I wasn't in the England squad so I just have to shrug my shoulders and get on with it. I am not one to sit around and moan and mope."

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand says he will continue to ignore the critics as he looks to recapture the form which made him captain of both club and country.

Meanwhile, Ferdinand also urged David De Gea to ignore critcism after the United goalkeeper endured a testing start to his life in the Premier League.

"The difference with clubs like us and others is that elsewhere goalkeepers are always involved in the action. Here, he is not involved for a long time and then bang he has to make a quick save. That is what sets the top keepers apart.

"He is showing why the club spent so much money on him and went out big to get him.

"The game against Stoke was a pivotal moment for him. There was a lot of pressure on him. People expected things to go wrong for him because of the size of the opponents and how Stoke put pressure on the goalkeeper. He dealt with that game brilliantly, which was huge confidence-wise.

"I didn't notice a change in him because he is not an emotional type of guy or someone who is that animated, but you can tell from his performances since that he is looking more comfortable and confident," said Ferdinand.