By David Hobbs
September 15 2005

Wayne Rooney has received defence from manager Sir Alex Ferguson and team-mate Alan Smith after being needlessly sent off in yesterday's goalless draw with Villarreal.

Rooney was yet again involved in a controversial incident with a referee but has been guarded by several Old Trafford team-mates.

Last night, the 19-year-old was initially booked in the second half against Villarreal for a tackle on Quique Alvarez, however, Rooney's immature and sarcastic reaction to Kim Milton Nielsen forced the Danish referee to dismiss the forward.

"I think Wayne reacts to injustice," claimed Sir Alex Ferguson. "He felt he had been wrongly booked but you cannot applaud the referee. I don't think he gave himself any chance there - not with that referee.

"It's debatable whether it's a booking in the context of a game like that but you can't applaud the referee. I think he (referee Nielsen) had a choice with the yellow card but he had no choice with the red card."

The on-looking Alan Smith added: "That's how he plays. He plays on the edge and sometimes he's going to step over the line and unfortunately he did. I think for a young man, who could potentially be one of the best players in the world, we've all got to put an arm round his shoulder and help him through difficult times."

David Hobbs - Webmaster
[david@manutdweb.com]