Fergie: Roo will face Goodison nightmare

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted it will be a “bloody nightmare” for Wayne Rooney and Manchester United at Everton today.

Rooney will be targeted by Everton fans at Goodison Park and they plan to taunt their former hero over allegations he has been seeing prostitutes.

Fergie claims even having Everton legend Dixie Dean in the United team would not stop the abuse inevitably being hurled at Rooney and his team-mates.

But the United boss is backing them to handle the hate and pointed to their record of 14 wins from their 19 Premier League visits to Goodison.

“It would not matter if we had Dixie Dean playing for us, it’s always a bloody nightmare going there,” he said.

“It’s a hard place to go to, but that atmosphere is fantastic. We have had to deal with it for many years and we’ve got a fantastic record there.

“There’s no problem with it. In fact, I think we’ve only lost there three times in 24 years or something like that. It’s a great record.”

Fergie snapped when quizzed about how Rooney was coping under the strain.

He is understood to have spoken to the England star on Thursday at Carrington and refused to answer any questions about him.

“Listen,” he said tersely. “I’m not discussing any of my players personally. OK? Let’s put that to bed. Everyone is fit. OK? Thank you.”

Ferguson has reverted to his default siege-mentality mode as he does when faced with crises and has yanked up the drawbridge at Old Trafford.

“Did you not hear what I said?” he snapped, when asked again about the prospect of Rooney going back to his former club.

He would not confirm that Rooney would play at Goodison, even though the striker has told him he is ready to run the gauntlet.

Ferguson was more forthcoming on Rio Ferdinand and confirmed that the England defender is available to play his first game since injuring his knee before the World Cup.

He claims Ferdinand is over his injury problems and ready to play three games a week for club and country.

“I could have played Rio in the reserves on Thursday, but I just looked at him in training and thought I don’t see the point,” he said.

“His training performances are so good that he’s in the squad now. He’s ready to start the game against Everton. After that we have Rangers on Tuesday and Liverpool next Sunday.

“He had a nightmare season last season with injuries and he missed the World Cup because of injury.

“The main incentive for Rio is to stay fit and if he stays fit, he is going to be picked for England because he is their best centre-back.”