United enforcer warns Liverpool against a Rooney backlash
Published 23:00 18/09/10 By Simon Mullock
Darren Fletcher has warned Liverpool to beware of a Wayne Rooney backlash.
The Manchester United midfielder is one of Rooney’s closest friends at Old Trafford.
And after a week which saw the England striker dropped by Sir Alex Ferguson following revelations about his private life and then forced to endure a frustrating Champions League night against Rangers on his return to the team, Fletcher says Rooney is ready to rumble against United’s biggest rivals.
Fletcher said: “I thought Wayne looked sharp against Rangers and I am certain the goals will now come. He will love playing against Liverpool because he’s a Scouser and because there is so much history between the two clubs.
“It’s the kind of game he relishes. Wayne is a top player for us – it’s good to have him back in the team.
“The players here know what makes him tick. We understand his game and he understands ours.
“He is a big part of United’s history now. His style of play is inbred at Manchester United and he absolutely loves playing for this club.
“There’s been a lot of attention on Wayne recently, but our aim is to just get him out there on the pitch so he can do all his talking where it matters most.
“All we care about is how much of an influence he is when we’re playing. It is the performances that matter here.”
United conceded two injury-time goals to draw at Goodison Park last week and then drew a blank against Rangers.
Liverpool have also had their troubles in the Premier League and drew against Arsenal and Birmingham and lost at Manchester City.
Fletcher added: “It doesn’t matter what is happening to the clubs, when United play Liverpool it is a massive.
“It doesn’t matter what your results have been.
Liverpool at Old Trafford, the history between the two clubs, means this is always a very special game.
“For what it’s worth, I still think Liverpool are a top side.
“They have not had the start they would have liked, but it is still early in the season so teams are trying to find form and rhythm.
“They are a top side with top players and a good manager in Roy Hodgson. Once he stamps his mark on them and gets them playing how they want, they’ll be a real threat.”
