Why United are risking Rooney burn-out ahead of England's World Cup

By David McDonnell

Published 10:23 25/02/10

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So how do you solve a problem like Wayne Rooney?

If you're Sir Alex Ferguson, you play him for the remainder of the season, in the hope Manchester United's main man can lead his club to a record fourth Premier League title, as well as Champions League and Carling Cup success.

If you're Fabio Capello, you spend every minute Rooney is in action for United with legs, arms, fingers - anything crossed - in the hope England's star player avoids injury and burn-out before this summer's World Cup.

Fergie maintains he will rest Rooney before the end of the season, not to aid England's chances of glory in South Africa of course, but to ensure he gets the best out of his most inspirational player until the end of the campaign.

But with every game United play between now and the end of the season of such huge significance, be they in the increasingly tight title race or the Champions League, it's hard to see when Fergie can give Rooney a breather.

It is indicative of Fergie's over-reliance on Rooney, not to mention his lack of belief in the likes of Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen to perform in his absencem, that the 27-goal striker has started United's last 17 games.

Only Patrice Evra has played more games at United this season, and although Rooney has shown no signs of fatigue at carrying the champions this season, every game he starts is potentially fatal blow to England's World Cup hopes.

If United go all the way to the Champions League Final in Madrid this season, Rooney could end up having played 52 games this season, before England begin the build-up to South Africa with their World Cup warm-up friendlies.

Fergie is acutely aware of the concern among Capello and his England team over the prospect of Rooney of suffering burn-out, but the United boss will let nothing stand in his way of a record-breaking 19th title and another European Cup triumph.

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