Rooney's focus on beating Basel not his ban - Fergie
Published 22:31 06/12/11 By David McDonnell in Basel
Sir Alex Ferguson insists he has no concerns over Wayne Rooney's state of mind as the England striker's Euro 2012 day of reckoning looms.
Rooney goes into Manchester United's decisive Champions League group game against Basel on Wednesday with Fergie backing him to put Thursday's appeal against his three-match Euro 2012 ban out of his mind for the 90 minutes.
After United's game, Rooney will be accompanied by England manager Fabio Capello to UEFA's headquarters in the Swiss city of Nyon to plead for a reduction in his suspension following his sending-off against Montenegro in October.
Ferguson was sufficiently concerned to leave Rooney out of his starting line-up for United's trip to Liverpool 48 hours after the striker first learned of his ban, claiming the 26-year-old was "devastated".
"It's a different day for a start," said the Scot, in reference to his decision to bench Rooney at Anfield.
"Wayne's got a big game, an important game for us, so I don't think [his state of mind] will come into it at all."
After pleading his case to UEFA's disciplinary panel on Thursday morning, Rooney will travel back to Basel to link up with his United team-mates for their flight back to Manchester.
Rooney may or may not learn his fate before he leaves Switzerland, but Ferguson was adamant his striker will be in the right frame of mind to help clinch United's place in the last 16.
Fergie's men need a point against Basel to secure their place in the knockout stage after a disappointing group campaign which has seen them draw three times, twice at Old Trafford.
Phil Jones, who is likely to start in midfield with Michael Carrick suspended, said: "You thrive on pressure. It comes with every game at a massive club like this.
"We've prepared right and we will go out and do our best to get three points."
Confident Ferguson sets sights on a place in the last 16
Phil Jones: We're Man United - we eat pressure for breakfast!
United didn't take us seriously last time - Basel captain
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BASEL v MANCHESTER UNITED: PROBABLE TEAMS
Bael (4-4-2): Sommer; Steinhofer, Dragovic, Abraham, Park; Shaqiri, Cabral, Xhaka, F Frei; Streller, A Frei.
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Smalling, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Fletcher, Jones; Park, Giggs, Young; Rooney.
Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (Holland)
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BASEL v MANCHESTER UNITED: THREE TO WATCH
Xherdan Shaqiri - Suspended for the game at Old Trafford, Switzerland's most highly-rated young player now gets to face United. Scored a wonder goal against for Switzerland in their 3-1 loss to England in Basel last year. Likely to feature on the right side of midfield.
Marco Streller - Basel's skipper caused United untold problems in September. His combination on physical presence, touch and movement make him a hard player to mark and a handful for any defence.
Alexander Frei - The veteran striker scored twice in the reverse fixture. He has plundered 15 goals in his last 16 outings for Basel, proof of his enduring threat, even though he is now being 32 and entering the twilight of his career.
