Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says Wayne Rooney is to blame for the knee injury that could rule him out of the league match at Wolves.
Rooney, 24, had been struggling with the problem before the Carling Cup final but still played in England’s win over Egypt on Wednesday at Wembley.
“I don’t think he should have played [on Wednesday],” said Ferguson.
“It is his own enthusiasm that has caused it. His problem is that he can’t say no,” the Scot added.
“He told us on Sunday he was feeling his knee. Then all of a sudden people put an arm around his shoulder with England and he wants to play.
“[England boss] Fabio Capello has to pick his best team. A win was important so I don’t blame him at all.
“I was more disappointed with Wayne. Why didn’t he come off? I can’t believe it.”
Rooney is a doubt for what would be his third match in six days as Manchester United travel to Wolves looking to leapfrog Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table. Read more…
Terry was playing for England for the first time since losing the captaincy after his alleged affair with the ex-girlfriend of Wayne Bridge.
John Terry felt he got a good reception from England’s fans during Wednesday’s 3-1 win against Egypt at Wembley.
The Chelsea captain, 29, said: “The way they supported me and got behind me was fantastic, I really appreciate that.
“There were a few jeers but I can handle that. They are fully entitled to their opinion.”
England boss Fabio Capello stripped Terry of the captaincy following public revelations and allegations about the defender’s private life.
The saga continued as Bridge made himself unavailable for England, saying his position in the squad was “untenable and potentially divisive”.
The Manchester City left-back also refused to shake Terry’s hand when the pair met during the league match at Stamford Bridge last weekend. Read more…
Liverpool’s skipper gave a press conference as the Three Lions prepare for Wednesday’s friendly international against Egypt at Wembley.
Here’s some of what he had to say:
You’ve been given the captaincy after everything that’s happened to John Terry and with Rio Ferdinand being injured. Do you feel an extra sense of responsibility taking the captaincy in these circumstances?
Of course. I think being England captain is always a big responsibility but I’m really delighted I’m going to be leading the boys out on Wednesday. I’m looking forward to the game.
Fabio Capello says he’s trying to maintain the unity that he’s built up during the qualifying campaign. Is that something you’ve got a sense of?
Yes, of course - but nothing’s changed. The team spirit and the togetherness have been fantastic over the last couple of days. The manager did reiterate our responsibilities both on and off the pitch yesterday - but he’s done that since day one.
And this is a unified squad as far as you’re concerned?
Yes. Training went very well this morning and the lads are in great spirits. We’re looking forward to the game on Wednesday and hopefully we can perform well. Everyone’s getting excited because the World Cup is getting close now.
Read more…
Chelsea’s John Terry has hit back at Craig Bellamy after the Welshman’s comments about him following Manchester City’s win at Stamford Bridge.
Striker Bellamy scored twice in City’s 4-2 victory on Saturday and made a blunt attack on the former England captain’s off-field behaviour.
“I know what JT is like, everybody in football knows what he is like. That’s off the field,” stated Bellamy.
“People in glass houses should not throw stones,” said Terry in response.
Bellamy’s comments added further frustration to Blues skipper Terry, who was arguably at fault for at least one of the Manchester City goals.
Defender Terry also suffered the ignominy of seeing Bridge publicly refuse his offer of a handshake before the game.
Bridge’s snub went down badly with the Stamford Bridge crowd and the former Chelsea star was booed by the home fans, a development that baffled some of his Manchester City team-mates.
“I don’t know why the crowd reacted the way it did,” said Manchester City captain Shay Given. “I don’t see what he has done wrong.” Read more…
England coach Fabio Capello is hoping Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge will rethink his decision not to go to the World Cup this summer.
Following allegations that his ex-girlfriend had an affair with Chelsea’s John Terry, Bridge, 29, has opted not to be chosen for England duty.
“It surprised me,” admitted Capello of Bridge’s decision. “But the door is always open for him. We have time.
“I hope he will be with us at the World Cup, but I respect his decision.”
BBC Sport understands Bridge is effectively retiring from the international scene, though Capello is clearly hoping the defender will change his mind before this summer’s World Cup.
Terry was sacked as England captain by Capello earlier this month, but in a statement released by his lawyers, Bridge said his position in the national squad had become “untenable and potentially divisive”.
England face Egypt in a friendly at Wembley next Wednesday and despite reports earlier this week suggesting Bridge was considering his international future because he was unwilling to play alongside Terry, Capello believed he would be available for selection.
The Italian stated on Wednesday: “No, he will be with us. No problems about the other things.”
However, Bridge’s statement has shown the left-back remains troubled by the situation.
“It has always been an honour to play for England. However, after careful thought I believe my position in the squad is now untenable and potentially divisive,” said Bridge. Read more…
Wayne Bridge has made himself unavailable for England selection, thereby ruling himself out this summer’s World Cup.
In a statement released by his lawyers, Bridge, 29, said his position in the national squad had become “untenable and potentially divisive”.
The left-back has been in the spotlight over allegations that his ex-girlfriend had a relationship with John Terry.
England coach Fabio Capello stripped Terry of the captaincy this month.
In Bridge’s statement released on Thursday, he added: “I have thought long and hard about my position in the England football team in the light of the reporting and events over the last few weeks.
“It has always been an honour to play for England. However, after careful thought I believe my position in the squad is now untenable and potentially divisive. Read more…
Owen, 30, who has scored 40 goals in 89 games for England, last played for the national side in March 2008.
Manchester United striker Michael Owen has all but given up hope of making England’s World Cup squad this summer.
“It’s been a long time since I was in the England squad,” Owen told BBC Radio 5 live. “You never give up but it’s probably a long shot in racing terms.”
England boss Fabio Capello has said his players must be first-team regulars but Owen has not held down a United place.
Owen has started only five league games for his club this season following his July move from Newcastle, scoring two goals in the top flight and seven in all competitions.
The former Liverpool forward’s most impressive performance this season came in United’s 3-1 win over Wolfsburg in the Champions League, when Owen scored a hat-trick, but he was back on the bench for United’s next game - the home defeat by Aston Villa.
Capello flew to South Africa on Sunday for Fifa’s World Cup pre-tournament workshop in Sun City after watching in-form Fulham striker Bobby Zamora in the London side’s 2-1 win over Birmingham City.
England play Egypt at Wembley on 3 March, with Capello set to announce his squad for that friendly this weekend.
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson said of Zamora: “I think Capello will have been impressed. I know the fans were chanting his name for England and that was quite right.
“Capello knows football very well and is a person I regard as a friend. I’ve got every faith in his judgement. Read more…
The England manager has a much more important judgment call, one that could have a decisive impact on England’s chances of winning the World Cup, still to make in the coming months: whether Terry and Wayne Bridge can ever operate in the same dressing room again.
I always thought it was 50-50 whether Capello would relieve Terry of the captaincy. He gave it a week, saw that the controversy was not going to die down, and acted decisively. He will know, however,
that stripping Terry of the captaincy has not resolved the personal situation with Bridge. That relationship is compromised, whether Terry is captain or not.
It does not matter how mentally strong a player is, the thing about football is that players have to be able to rely on and trust each other. You want to tell me that the two of them in the same dressing room won’t cause problems?
It will. The situation is only made worse as they both play on the same side of the pitch, Terry as a left-sided centre back and Bridge at left-back. I can’t see Bridge having total trust in Terry. Read more…
The love rivals were handed a possible FA Cup quarter-final meeting in yesterday’s draw.
And that potential clash between Chelsea and Manchester City will be played a week after the clubs meet in the Premier League and days after England play Egypt on March 3.
A City source said: “Wayne has acted with dignity and kept his head down through all this but after all that has gone on, he doesn’t need anyone to tell him what this FA Cup game would mean.
“Everyone is motivated at City these days but if they needed any extra motivation to beat Stoke to get back to Stamford Bridge, this will be it.”
Terry and Bridge have not spoken since news broke of JT’s affair with Bridge’s ex-girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel.
If City beat Stoke in next week’s fifth-round replay they will travel to holders Chelsea in the first weekend of March.
SunSport can reveal Three Lions boss Fabio Capello WILL pick Bridge for the friendly against Egypt after his personal check on Saturday. Read more…
