'Sir Alex Ferguson tried to keep Rooney out of World Cup' - Sven-Goran Eriksson

 
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Tom Dutton3 November 2013

Sir Alex Ferguson attempted to halt Wayne Rooney’s selection for the 2006 World Cup according to claims made in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s new autobiography.

The Scot was said to be ‘screaming down the phone’ in an attempt to dissuade then England manager Eriksson from taking Rooney to the finals in Germany.

Ferguson became insistent that the striker would not be available after fracturing a metatarsal in his right foot little more than two weeks before Eriksson was forced to submit a squad for the tournament.

In an extract from the book reproduced in the Mail on Sunday, the former England manager claimed medical representatives from Manchester United and England convened to discuss the issue.

The Swede suggested England doctor Leif Sward accused Manchester United representatives of lying in a bid to keep Rooney out of the 23-man squad.

Eriksson wrote: "Leif and I met Ferguson and United's doctor at the United training ground.'He cannot play in the World Cup', Ferguson said flatly. The doctor brought out some X-rays that he said showed Rooney's broken bone would not heal in time.

"When the doctor finished, Leif looked him in the eye. 'Why do you sit here and lie to me?' Leif asked.

"He was one of Europe's foremost specialists on this kind of injury. I just wish I could have filmed Ferguson's face when Leif explained that Wayne's break would heal in time for the World Cup.

"When Leif had finished, I turned to Ferguson. 'Sorry, Alex,' I said. 'I will pick Rooney'."

Rooney went to the tournament but did not score a single goal and was sent off for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho in England's quarter-final against Portugal, which they lost on penalties.

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