Rooney: Refs are picking on me

Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney believes he is becoming a trophy target for referees.

Just 33 days after his controversial World Cup dismissal, the 20-year-old was red-carded again last Friday, even though his aerial clash with Porto defender Pepe appeared accidental.

"Possibly, I am getting picked on," he said. "Referees get a lot of headlines with some of the decisions they make. I am not having a go at the referee but it is just the way the game has gone and sometimes, players have to take the consequences of that."

Unless United can clear his name, Rooney is facing a three-match ban, with referee Ruud Bossen insisting his decision was correct.

It was the fourth red card of Rooney's career, and the third on foreign soil in 12 months, starting with his Champions League dismissal against Villarreal in September.

Sir Alex Ferguson has already expressed his fears that the England star was becoming a marked man for over-zealous officials, eager to make a name for themselves.

And Rooney accepts there could be some truth in his manager's assertion.

At the time, Rooney could hardly believe his dismissal in Amsterdam, lingering on the pitch for a television replay of the incident which never came.

Instead, the former Everton forward had to wait to see his challenge again on video. And he is convinced the evidence backs up his theory that Bossen over-reacted.

"I feel a bit let down," said Rooney, who was speaking at the launch of his recently-released autobiography 'Wayne Rooney: My Story So Far'. "If you watch the video, I did not take my eyes off the ball once."